Brown Planthoppers Damaged Over 10, 000 Hectares Rice Plantation
Brown planthoppers damaged over 10, 000 hectares of the rice plantation in Capiz which nearly half the income of the farmers in the province.
The rice plantation in Capiz has been infested by brown planthopper and damage for over some 10, 000 hectares. Around 16 towns in Capiz have been affected by the infestation of the pests according to the provincial rice program coordinator in Capiz.
The pest insects are called brown planthoppers or “Waya-Waya” in our country. This insect is pests among rice, which is the major crop for about half the world’s population. These plant hopper directly damages the rice through feeding and also by transmitting two viruses such as rice ragged stunt virus and rice grassy stunt virus.
The leaves of the rice plant initially turn to orange or yellow before becoming brown and dry due to the infestation of the plant hoppers high population according to the date showed by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). This insect can commonly found here in Asia.
See next page for continuation