DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is urging farmers to intensify field monitoring as four major rice pests are expected to infest rice areas until the end of June.
PhilRice urged farmers in Central Luzon, Western Visayas, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and the Bicol Region to closely monitor their fields for signs of rodents, rice stemborers, brown planthoppers, and rice bugs. If left unmanaged, these pests could lead to significant yield losses.
“Regular field monitoring and timely pest control are crucial at this point in the season. Even minimal negligence can escalate into severe infestations that compromise yield and quality,” Leonardo V. Marquez, PhilRice crop protection expert, said.
According to Marquez, rodents top the list of threats due to their destructive feeding behavior throughout all growth stages of the rice crop.
“A single rodent can damage up to 300 tillers in one night, potentially causing yield losses of up to 90% in heavily infested fields. Farmers are advised to look for burrows, footprints, and chewed tillers, and to destroy nests on sight,” he urged.
Rice stemborers also remain a persistent problem, boring into stems and causing “deadheart” and “whitehead” symptoms, which reduce grain development. Brown planthoppers, which flourish in nitrogen-rich environments suck sap from plants and cause hopperburn, leading to premature death. Meanwhile, rice bugs target maturing grains, resulting in empty or discolored kernels.
The rice protection expert also emphasized the importance of integrated pest management strategies, including community-wide synchronized planting, controlled nitrogen use, and crop rotation.
He further cautioned against the overuse of insecticides, noting that improper application can lead to pesticide resistance and disrupt populations of beneficial insects.
Farmers are encouraged to coordinate with their local agriculture offices and consult extension workers for pest surveillance and management support.
