Mapping the spread of abaca bunchy-top and mosaic diseases in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas Regions, Philippines
Raymundo, A.D.; Bajet, N.B.; Sumalde, A.C.; Cipriano, B.P.; Borromeo, R.; Garcia, B.S.; Tapalla, P.; Fabellar, N.
Philippine Agricultural Scientist 84(4): 352-361
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-7454 Document Number: 425040
This paper reports on a project of the Fibre Industry Development Authority (FIDA), the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), and the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC), specifically the mapping of the distribution and spread of bunchy top and mosaic of abaca (Musa textilis) by utilizing the decision tool called geographic information system (GIS). The choice of GIS is based on a combination of features that cannot be found in other decision tools, i.e., that GIS can show (1) temporal relationships between factors, (2) spatial relationships between factors, and (3) relationships between temporal and spatial factors that might affect abaca integrated pest management (IPM). Spatial data gathered from a nationwide survey and presented as GIS maps reveal the occurrence and severity of the diseases in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Southern Mindanao, and CARAGA (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur). The GIS maps show that in the Bicol Region, i.e., the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes, are heavily affected by bunchy top and mosaic. Many abaca farms have been either wiped out by the viruses and/or abandoned by farmers due to disease devastation. Surveys indicated that the highest incidence of both diseases are in Sorsogon and Catanduanes. Disease distribution tends to be aggregated so that some towns within a province are more heavily affected than others. There are areas that are still relatively free of the diseases. In Eastern Visayas, mosaic is rampant in Northern Samar. Low to moderate levels of the disease are observed in Leyte and Southern Leyte. The "hot spots" of the diseases are both in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions. These areas can then be targeted as priority for disease eradication. Data will continue to be gathered and plotted. Over time, the progress of the abaca IPM programme on both diseases can be ascertained through GIS maps as basis for further decision-making.