Managing Hopper and Stem Borer (Adults) in Paddy Crop
Hopper and stem borer (adults) are common pests that attack the paddy crop and can cause significant damage to the yield. These pests feed on the sap of the rice plant, leading to yellowing, stunted growth, and ultimately reduced grain yield. Therefore, it is essential to manage these pests to ensure healthy growth and a good yield. Here are some ways to manage hopper and stem borer in paddy crop:
1. Cultural practices
A good cultural practice is to practice crop rotation to avoid continuous cultivation of the crop. This helps to break the life cycle of pests. Also, timely sowing of the crop is an essential cultural practice to avoid heavy infestation.
2. Use of resistant varieties
Using resistant varieties is the best control measure to prevent hopper and stem borer infestation in paddy crop. Resistant varieties can reduce the damage caused by pests and increase the yield.
3. Biological control
Biocontrol agents such as predators and parasitoids help to control hopper and stem borer population in paddy fields. Farmers can introduce natural predators like spiders and predatory insects to reduce the pest’s population.
4. Chemical control
Farmers can also use insecticides to control the pest’s population. There are a variety of insecticides available in the market, and farmers should choose the most effective one with minimum toxic effects. Insecticides should be applied at the right time in the right quantity. Also, spraying should be avoided when the crop is in the flowering stage to avoid affecting the beneficial insects.
5. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management is an approach that combines all the available pest management strategies to manage pests. This approach is economical and sustainable. In IPM, farmers use a combination of cultural practices, resistant varieties, biological control, and chemical control to manage hopper and stem borer in paddy crop.
In conclusion, the management of hopper and stem borer in paddy crop is vital to ensure a healthy crop and a good yield. Farmers should use a combination of control measures to manage these pests and avoid excessive use of chemical pesticides, which can harm the environment and crop.