As agriculture remains an essential part of the livelihood of many people, farmers need to know the best ways to control pests that attack their crops. One of the pests that affect the paddy crop, also known as rice, is the stem borer. This pest causes significant damage to crops, resulting in low yields and loss of income. Here are the essential things that farmers need to know about controlling stem borer in paddy crop.
Identification
Stem borers are tiny caterpillars that bore into the stems of rice plants. They reside inside the stem as they feed on the internal tissues, leading to a wilting and drying of the plant. The entire vegetative part of the plant above the feeding site may die, causing considerable damage to the plant.
Cultural Control
Farmers can adopt specific cultural practices to minimize the occurrence of stem borer infestations in their paddy crops. These cultural practices include crop rotation, avoiding multiple cropping of rice in the same area, practicing clean cultivation, and eliminating weeds around the field. This will help minimize the availability of moisture, which is favorable for the pests to thrive. Farmers may also use clean and disease-free seeds and avoid planting seeds that have been infested with the pest.
Biological Control
Biological control is another practical way of controlling the stem borer pests in paddy crops. The use of natural enemies that prey on or parasitize the insect can significantly suppress the population of stem borers. One of the well-known natural enemies is Trichogramma, a tiny wasp that parasitizes the egg stage of the pest. Farmers can also plant flowers that attract predators such as spiders and praying mantis that feed on the caterpillars.
Chemical Control
Lastly, farmers can use chemical control methods, which involve spraying insecticides to control the pest. Use insecticides only where the infestation levels have reached economic damage thresholds. Farmers need to follow the instructions on the label before using any insecticide, which includes the dosage, timing, and application method.
In conclusion, controlling stem borer in paddy crops involves using a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control methods. It is essential to monitor the crops regularly and adopt the appropriate control measures before the pest causes significant damage to the crops. With the right intervention, farmers can continue to produce healthy paddy crops that support their livelihoods.