Green Thumbs-Up for NPV: Nucleopolyhedro virus, a biocontrol against cutworm

In Benguet and some adjacent municipalities of Mountain Province, agriculture has

and always been the number one means of living for its inhabitants. These
inhabitants mostly farmers produce and supply most of our nations demand for
highland vegetables. Due to this demand, farmers resort to conventional farming for
faster crop production just to cope up with mandate of its consumers nationwide.
The shift; conventional to organic farming
However, these conventional farming practices often times, if not, most likely do
more harm than good. Relentless use of chemical pesticides can drastically change
soil quality from fertile to acidic. Hence, farm lands become less feasible for crop
production. Whats more, to our farmers, the use of these expensive chemical
pesticides burn holes through their pockets leaving them to breakeven if not
bankrupt during harvest seasons. Dangerously enough, mis-use and mishandling of
pesticides can also be risky not only for the farm laborers, but also for vegetable
consumers.
To combat these problems, Benguet State University through its extension programs
is encouraging our farmers to shift from conventional to use of Good agricultural
practices (GAP) and organic farming for a more sustainable and environmentfriendly type of agriculture. This because organic crops does not require chemical
pesticides, if not, less. But even organic crops are not spared from destruction
brought about by pests like cutworms, a major pest of highland vegetables organic
or not. This makes it difficult for our farmers to change their routine drill of using
chemical pesticides in solving pest problems.
The breakthrough
With aims to solve the cutworm problem, a BSU research was conducted by Ms.
Felicitas Guerrero and Dr. Eulogio V.Cardona Jr. Their efforts led to the discovery of a
biological enemy against cutworm: a virusscientifically termed as Spodoptera litura,
commonly known as Nucleopolyhedro virus or locally known as NPV.
In their research, they discovered that NPV is a very viable and safe alternative to
chemical pesticides specifically in combatting cutworm. Also, they assured that
natural enemies like diadegma, a parasitoid that is widely used for the control of the
pest diamondback moth in cabbage are not affected by the use of NPV. Similarly,
NPV has no effect on people, wild life and are notphytotoxic unlike synthetic
insecticides. Moreover, it can be applied through traditional method of using a
sprayer. The technology is very simple; farmers can prepare NPV by themselves
and its more cost efficient compared to other synthetic pesticides.
The Result
Based on the results of a technology demonstration farm facilitated by farmerresearcher Mr.Cus Kilakil also from BSU, NPV is a huge leap of discovery as an
alternative remedy to chemical pesticides in eradicating the ill effects of
cutworms. According to Kilakil, farmers witnessed the effects of NPV against
cutworms first hand, from the sluggish larva to the change of its color from light

creamy to light pinkish, then towards its death. Farmers during the demonstration
saw the effect of NPV when it infected the cutworm. NPV caused the cutworm to
bloat then burst excreting out oozing of body fluids with foul odor.
Kilakil expressly gave his thumbs-up to NPV. He added that NPV will play a huge role
in aiding farmers in particular and our environment in general. Also, NPV is well
suited for the farmers of Benguet and neighboring municipalities of Mountain
Province because of their similarities in vegetable crops. He cited, crucifers as top
vegetable crops produced in Benguet and adjacent municipalities of Mountain
Province because of their capacity to adopt torelatively cool temperature.
Among them is cabbage which is considered to be the lead vegetable crop grown in
the highland Philippines and has export potential. However, these crucifers are also
on top of the cutworms menu.
He added NPV created a huge impact to farmers practicing organic farming. Aside
from its potential to reduce the farmers production cost, it also helped and
will aid in improving the already acidic farmlands of Benguet and adjacent
municipalities of Mountain Province.
More possibilities
Kilakil also disclosed other undocumented discovery they had after frequent use of
NVP. They noticed that dead cutworms killed by NPV are good fertilizers when they
let those cutworms rot on soil. More, they learned that NPV can thrived over the soil,
thus, NPV can attack these cutworms after they hatched from their eggs. The
possibility might be endless for NPV, said Kilakil after sharing before this author
another discovery they had using NPV.
As of this writing, Kilakil unveiled their recent discovery on NPV. According to him,
NPV can also be used as biological enemy against plant lice or locally known as
Aphids.