As one of the most destructive pests in paddy fields, the brown leaf hopper (BLH) can cause significant yield losses of up to 60%. With the increased prevalence of BLH infestations in recent years, it is crucial for paddy farmers to implement effective management strategies to control and prevent these pests from damaging their crops.
One of the fundamental strategies for managing BLH is the use of resistant varieties. Planting resistant varieties can significantly reduce the BLH population through the plant’s natural defense system. Resistance can be linked with plant anti-feedant characteristics and production of chemicals that deter the BLH from feeding. Consult with your local agricultural extension agents or seed suppliers for the best varieties that can resist BLH infestations.
Another effective approach to BLH management is cultural control. Cultural control measures refer to activities done in the field to manipulate the pest’s environment negatively. Cultural control measures involve proper fertilization, timely irrigation, and good seed-bed preparation. Keep in mind that planting high-density crops, over-fertilization, and over-irrigation create favorable environments for BLH proliferation.
Biological control is an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and sustainable method of BLH management. It involves using natural enemies of the pest such as predatory insects like spiders, ladybugs, and parasitoids such as wasps and flies. These natural enemies feed on the BLH eggs, larvae and adults, thus reducing BLH numbers in paddy fields. By creating a habitat that promotes natural enemies, a significant population of BLH can be destroyed through this method.
Chemical control can be applied as a last resort when other management strategies have failed. Pesticides, such as neonicotinoids and pyrethroids, can be used as foliar sprays to control BLH infestations. However, indiscriminate use of these chemicals can cause the development of resistance in BLH, degrade the environment and negatively impact human health. Therefore, it is essential to follow the chemical application guidelines as outlined by the manufacturer and seek professional advice from certified pest control operators.
Successful BLH management requires an integrated approach combining several management strategies. The combination of cultural control, planting resistant varieties, natural enemies, and judicious chemical use is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). With IPM in place, paddy farmers can manage BLH populations sustainably and achieve profitable yields.