The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) - in a response to a renewed upsurge of the Beet Army Worm (BAW) Spodoptera Exigua in areas in the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Manchester, yielded RADA’s execution of a field visit to the affected areas – started Monday June 4-2012.
The response continued today with the staging of the Farmers’ Workshop Tuesday June 5-2012 titled the Management of the Beet Army Worm held in Pedro Plains at the Anglican Church Hall in the parish of St. Elizabeth.
Background:
On May 22-2012, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s Plant Health/Food Safety Specialist reported a major outbreak of the Beet Army Worm in St. Elizabeth.
The findings were surprising, as indications were that since the initial flare up in April 2012 and several initiatives were undertaken by the Authority, it was believed that the BAW had been contained to tolerable levels.
On May 27 a meeting specialists from RADA and the Research and Development R&D Division, was convened to assess the situation and propose measure for the way forward.
Status;
The main area of the recent outbreak was Flagaman and at that time, one farmer in Beacon had lost four acres of onion. The outbreak was attributed to carry –over from fields affected in April – where onions were not properly harvested and consequently, a significant pest build-up occurred.
The pest levels have become extremely high with the overlapping of several generations.
Way Forward:
On May 27 a meeting specialists from RADA and the Research and Development R&D Division, was convened to assess the situation and propose measure for the way forward.
Today’s workshops saw a consensus reached among the affected farmers who attended the scientists and the Authority’s representatives headed by Chief Executive Officer Don McGlashan, that current practices have to be changed with examination of the current planting times being observed, spraying patterns; as well as research into the most vulnerable parts of the life cycle of the pest by the Research and Development arm of the team- to see if mitigation can occur through that gateway, as well.
The beet armyworm is an important pest on vegetable, field, and flower crops. These crops include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chickpea lettuce, onion and other vegetables.
Monitoring:
Damage by the pest can be prevented or minimised only by regular monitoring for early pest detection and timing and application of appropriate.
Biological Control:
Numerous natural enemies such as wasps, plant bugs, beetles, spiders and birds feed on the beet armyworm larvae and adult.
