Stem borer is one of the most devastating pests that infest paddy crops. These worms cause considerable damage to the crops by boring into the stem of the paddy plant, which eventually leads to stunted growth, yellowed leaves, and reduced yield. Therefore, it is essential to control the pest infestation and take preventive measures to keep the disease at bay.
Here are some of the ways to control stem borer in paddy:
1. Crop rotation – Crop rotation is an effective method to break the pest life cycle. Farmers can grow non-host crops for a season, such as vegetables or pulses, to starve the stem borer pests.
2. Use of pheromone traps – Farmers can use pheromone traps to attract and trap the male stem borer moths before they mate with the female moths, thus, preventing the infestation.
3. Biological control – Biological control involves introducing natural predators or parasitoids of stem borers into paddy fields. For instance, egg parasitoids, Trichogramma, can be released into the field to control the pest.
4. Chemical control – Chemical control is the most common and effective method to control stem borer infestation. Farmers can use insecticides such as carbofuran, fipronil, and imidacloprid to control the pests. However, farmers must follow the recommended dosage, application methods, and safety guidelines to avoid harming the paddy crop, beneficial insects, and human health.
5. Cultural control – Cultural control includes various methods such as weed management, proper drainage, and timely irrigation of the field to prevent the breeding and growth of stem borer pests.
In conclusion, stem borer infestation can significantly hamper the growth and yield of paddy crops, causing financial losses to farmers. Hence, farmers must adopt a combination of strategies to control stem borer infestation in paddy fields. By taking preventive measures, using biological and chemical control methods appropriately, and regular monitoring of the field, farmers can effectively control stem borer pests and enhance the productivity of their crops.