Paddy: Major Pests and Their Management

Rice is one of the main food crops in India and is highly susceptible to damage from various pests. Some common pests that can harm rice crops include stem borers, leaf folders, brown plant hoppers, and rice bugs. To protect the crop from these pests, farmers can use various methods such as traditional practices, biological control, and chemical control.

Major Pests of Paddy and Their Control Measures

Brown Planthopper

• These pests are light brown in color and are found near the lower parts of plants or around the soil.
• Brown planthoppers suck the sap from the stems and leaves of the plants.
• Affected plants show black fungal growth on the upper surface of the leaves, which interferes with the process of photosynthesis, causing the plants to dry up.
• The infestation of this pest can occur 80 to 90 days after transplanting, especially during the grain-filling stage.
• Plants affected by this pest dry up rapidly, resulting in a significant decrease in yield.

Control

• Inspect the crop at regular intervals and measure the presence of pests.
• Keeping the field free from weeds reduces the outbreak of pests.
• Do not use an excessive amount of urea, as it can increase pest growth.
• Spray pesticides only on the lower parts of the plants.
• For this, spray 20 to 40 gm of Acetamiprid 20% SP per acre.
• Spray 40 to 50 ml of Imidacloprid 17.8% SL per acre.
• Spray 300 ml of Buprofezin 23.1% w/w + Fipronil 3.85% w/w SC per acre.

Leaf Folder Pest

• This pest is yellow to green in color. It lays eggs on rice leaves in groups, from which larvae emerge.
• The larvae eat the soft parts of the leaves, causing them to curl from the edges.
• They scrape the insides of the leaves and suck their sap, which turns the leaves white. This affects the photosynthesis process in plants. The growth of the plant stops, and eventually, the plant weakens and dies.

Control

• If possible, destroy the insect eggs.
• Maintain control over weeds in the field to reduce the pest outbreak.
• Spray Thiamethoxam 25% WG (DeHaat Asear) at 40-80 gm per acre in the field.
• Spray Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC (DeHaat C Square) at 250-400 ml per acre in the field.
• Spray Lambda-cyhalothrin 5% EC (Syngenta Karate) at 100 ml mixed in 200-250 liters of water.

Stem Borer

• They eat the leaves and stems, making them hollow from the inside, causing the plants to turn yellow.
• Due to the pest infestation, plants do not produce panicles.
• The larvae of the stem borer feed on the rice tillers, leading to symptoms such as "dead heart" or "drying" in the crop.
• The number of stem borer pests can increase due to high nitrogen fertilizer in rice and delayed sowing.

Control

• Use Thiamethoxam 1% + Chlorantraniliprole 0.5% GR at 2400 gm per acre of field. Mix it in water and spray evenly on the rice crop.
• Use Cartap Hydrochloride 50% SP) at 7.5 to 10 kg per acre in the rice field.
• Spray DeHaat C-Square (Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC) at 250-400 ml per acre of field.
• Use Alanto (Thiacloprid 21.7% SC) at 200 ml per acre of the rice field, mix it in water, and spray evenly.

Stinkbug

• Creates a foul odor in the field.
• Both young and adult bugs suck milk from the grains in their milky stage.
• Grains do not form in the panicles, and they remain hollow.
• Black or brown spots appear around the holes made in the grains.
• Grain affected by the stinkbug becomes crumbly.
• Affected grains have black spots along with holes.
• Weeds, warm weather, and continuous rain are favorable for the stinkbug infestation.
• This insect is commonly found in rain-fed and upland paddy fields.

Control

• Mix and spray Acephate 75% SP at a rate of 266 to 400 gm per acre in water.
• Spray neem oil 10,000 ppm at a rate of 200 ml per acre in the field.
• Apply Thiamethoxam 25% W.G (DeHaat Asear) at a rate of 40-80 gm per acre by spraying.
• Mix and spray Voliam Flexi (Chlorantraniliprole 8.8% + Thiamethoxam 17.5% w/w SC) thoroughly at a rate of 240 milliliters per acre in the field.

Sap-sucking Insects

• Sap-sucking insects weaken plants by sucking the sap from their tender leaves.
• The leaves start curling upwards or downwards.
• It hinders the development of the plants.

Control

• Thiamethoxam 25% W.G (DeHaat Asear): Mix 100 gm of the chemical in 200 liters of water and spray.
• Acetamiprid 20% S.P. (Tata Manik): Mix 80 gm of the product in 200 liters of water per acre and spray.
• Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (DeHaat Entokill): Mix 80 ml in 200 liters of water and use at the rate per acre.
• Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC (DeHaat C-Square): Prepare a solution by mixing 300 ml in 200 liters of water and spray at the rate per acre.

Rice Hispa Insect

• These insects feed on the leaves of plants, causing white streaks to appear on the leaves and leading to their drying.

Control

• Destroy affected leaves and shoots.
• Remove and destroy larvae.
• Avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers.
• Apply Tafaban (Chlorpyriphos 20% EC) at a rate of 600 to 750 ml per acre in rice fields.
• Use Cartap Hydrochloride 50% SP at the rate of 7.5 to 10 kg per acre in paddy field.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the major pests of rice?

A: Rice crops are affected by several pests, including: Stem borers, which bore holes in stems causing wilting and death of plants; Leaf folders, which fold leaves and feed on the green tissue inside, stunting development; Brown plant hoppers, which suck sap from plants, causing leaves to turn yellow and dry up; and Rice bugs, which feed on developing grains, causing shriveled and discolored grains. Effective pest management strategies are necessary to reduce damage caused by these pests.

Q: What is the main disease of rice?

A: Blast disease is the main disease of rice. It affects leaves, stems, panicles, and grains, creating small, round lesions on leaves that later develop into spindle-shaped or diamond-shaped lesions with gray centers and brown borders. In severe cases, entire leaves, stems, and panicles can be destroyed. In areas with high humidity and rainfall, this disease can cause significant yield losses. Resistant varieties, crop rotation, and fungicide application are necessary for management.

Q: Which are the major varieties of rice?

A: Major rice varieties include DeHaat DPS Samriddhi, DeHaat DPS Viraat, DeHaat DPS Double Gold, DeHaat DPS Dara, DeHaat BB-11, DeHaat BPT-5204, DeHaat DPS-Sartaj, DeHaat DPS-Dhanno, DeHaat DPS-4567, DeHaat PB-1718, DeHaat PB-1121, DeHaat PB-1509, DeHaat MTU-1001, and DeHaat Mahamaya. These varieties come with various characteristics and disease-resistant traits, making them suitable for cultivation.