Control of Sucking Pest and Caterpillar in Paddy
Paddy or rice is an essential staple crop that feeds millions of people worldwide. However, various pests and diseases can damage the yield, leading to significant economic losses. Among the most destructive pests of paddy are the sucking pests and caterpillars. These pests feed on the sap and leaves of the rice plant, causing stunted growth, wilting, and even death. In this article, we will discuss the effective control measures for sucking pests and caterpillar in paddy.
Sucking pests include brown plant hopper, green leafhopper, and white-backed plant hopper. These pests cause direct damage to the rice plant by sucking the sap, leading to yellowing and drying of leaves. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts sooty mold, further reducing the photosynthetic capacity of the plant. Severe infestations can cause significant yield losses in paddy. To control sucking pests, farmers can adopt the following measures:
1. Cultural practices: Proper land preparation, timely sowing, and the use of resistant or tolerant varieties can reduce the incidence of sucking pests in the field.
2. Biological control: The use of natural enemies such as parasitoids, predators, and pathogens can help control sucking pests. For example, the parasitic wasp Anagrus nilaparvatae lays its eggs in the eggs of the brown plant hopper, preventing their hatchability.
3. Chemical control: The use of insecticides is the most effective and commonly used method to control sucking pests in paddy. However, farmers should use insecticides judiciously, following label instructions and choosing selective and eco-friendly pesticides. The use of neonicotinoid insecticides has been banned in some countries due to their harmful effects on pollinators.
Caterpillars are another group of pests that can damage paddy. The most common species are the stem borer and leaf folder. Stem borers attack the rice plant by boring into the stem and feeding on the inner tissues, leading to stunted and dead tillers. Leaf folders, on the other hand, fold the leaf blades and feed on the mesophyll, causing leaf yellowing and drying. To control caterpillars, farmers can adopt the following measures:
1. Cultural practices: Early planting, clean field preparation, and proper drainage can reduce the incidence of caterpillars in the field.
2. Biological control: The use of natural enemies such as parasitoids, predators, and pathogens can help control caterpillars. For example, the parasitic wasp Telenomus remus lays its eggs in the eggs of the stem borer, preventing their hatchability.
3. Chemical control: The use of insecticides such as chlorantraniliprole and spinosad can effectively control caterpillars in paddy. However, like in the case of sucking pests, farmers should use pesticides judiciously, following label instructions and choosing selective and eco-friendly options.
In conclusion, the control of sucking pests and caterpillars in paddy requires a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical measures. Farmers should adopt integrated pest management practices, which involve the judicious use of all these measures, to achieve sustainable and eco-friendly pest control in paddy.