DAVAO CITY – The Cotabato provincial agriculture office on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, starte its trial phase on the use agriculture drone in spraying a Rubber plantation in Barangay Balindog, Kidapawan City.
Provincial rubber coordinator Vladimir Eusala said that the trial phase is part of the preparation of the Cotabato provincial government to protect the new rubber disease called “Pestalotiopsis” or leaf fall disease.
Researchers said the occurrence of Pestalotiopsis leaf fall disease causes gradual leaf fall from April to complete defoliation in July and August. Defoliation causes a decrease in the number of rubber plant canopy which affects the decrease in latex production
Agriculturists say Pestalotiopsis is caused by fungus called Pestalotiopsis microspora, which causes the leaft fall and eventual death of the rubber plant.
The province of Cotabato being rubber producing area started an early protocal to arrest the spread of the disease. Information is continuously being disseminated to rubber farmers for the treatment of rubber plants.
The leaves of the rubber tree are critical in the production of latex, the raw product of the tree.
It is estimated that the disease might damage 38percent loss in latex production.
Earlier on, the provinces of Basilan and Zamboanga Peninsula reported that Pestalotiopsis has damaged at least 800 hectares.
With that, “The provincial government plans to purchase an agricultural drone sprayer that will be used not only to control Pestalotiopsis, but it will also help prevent the spread of algal spot on fruit trees, oil palm, and other plant diseases, that may possibly cause damage to the agricultural sector by reducing production or harvest,” Eusala said.
In a meeting with rubber farmers and stakeholders, Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza asked the rubber plantation owners to be proactive, and strengthen surveillance, detection, monitoring, and information dissemination to prevent the introduction of various diseases, and animals in Cotabato province. – Eugene Hinutan
