Rice stem borer is a major pest that attacks paddy crops and causes significant damage. These pests feed on the stem of the rice plant, leading to the weakening of the stem and ultimately causing the plant to die. Stem borers are common in paddy fields and are responsible for a significant loss of yield in rice cultivation. Therefore, it is crucial to control the population of stem borers in paddy fields to avoid loss of yield.
The following are some information regarding the control of rice stem borer in the paddy crop:
1. Cultural Method: The cultural method of controlling stem borers involves crop rotation, which is the planting of a different crop in the same field for a year or two. This helps to break the pest cycle by interrupting the stem borer’s life cycle. In addition, the application of nitrogen fertilizer can also help reduce stem borer infestation, strengthening the rice plant.
2. Chemical Control: The use of chemical pesticides can be an effective method of controlling rice stem borer in paddy crop. There are different types of pesticides available in the market that are recommended for stem borer management. Some of these chemicals include Pyrethroids, Chloronicotinyl, and Carbamates. However, during their application, due care should be taken to avoid environmental pollution or damage to non-target organisms.
3. Biological Control: The biological method entails introducing natural enemies or predators of stem borers into the rice field. The use of Trichogramma, a parasitoid wasp, is an effective method of controlling stem borers. The wasp lays its eggs on the eggs of the stem borers, and the hatched wasp larvae feed on the eggs of stem borers, preventing their growth and reproduction.
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): The Integrated Pest Management approach is an ideal way to control the population of rice stem borers. This method involves combining both chemical and biological methods of controlling pests to achieve the best result. The approach takes into account of site-specific conditions to apply the most appropriate pest control method.
In conclusion, controlling rice stem borer is essential in reducing the loss of yield in the paddy crop. The efficient method of controlling stem borers in paddy crop involves site-specific preventive measures, including cultural, chemical, biological and integrated pest management strategies. It is essential to apply one or a combination of these methods to ensure a successful reduction in the population of stem borers in paddy fields.