Ecofriendly pesticides control rice pests

PLANT PESTICIDES are utilised in Biointensive Integrated Pest Management (BIPM) of rice to minimise the pest population to a level below those causing economic injury to the crop. The use of ecofriendly pesticides of plant origin is safer not only to users but also to the environment in general and is being given prime importance. These plant products are safe to non-target organisms and are biodegradable in nature. As many as 2121 plant products have been reported to possess pest control properties in various crop plants. This ensures a non-polluted environment. Hence in recent years there is an increased awareness on the use of plant products in pest management strategies. Neem, pungam (karanj), impomea, notchi (nirgandi), palmarosa and mahua play an important role in rice pest management.

The bioactivity of neem products was found to control more than 300 insect pests, nematodes and diseases. Ten per cent dried leaves either mixed with paddy grain or smearing neem leaf paste on the inner side of the storage bin controls storage pests of paddy grain. The spray of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5 per cent can control brown plant hopper (BPH), leaffolder, leaf thrips, and silvershoot in rice crop. Neem oil emulsion (NOE) 3 per cent spray controls BPH, stemborer, leaf thrips, black bug and sheath rot in rice. By application of neem cake @ 100 kg/ac, stemborer in rice can be controlled. Application of neem cake (10 kg) blended urea (50 kg/ha) to rice fields reduces nitrogen loss and controls sheath blight, brown leafspot and insect pests of rice.

Karanj oil emulsion 3 per cent spray controls BPH and White backed plant hopper (WBPH) in rice. Spray of Ipomea extract at 5 per cent controls BPH and WBPH in rice. Spraying of 5 per cent NSKE 20 and 10 days before harvest of the rice crop, controls Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella) and its carry over from field to storage. Palmarosa grass yields an essential oil. Oil emulsion of palmarosa oil @ 2 per cent spray controls leaffolder of rice. Mahua (- Moha) oil emulsion at 6 per cent spray is effective against BPH in rice.

Advantages of plant products: They are easily available, cheaper, safe in handling, toxin quickly dissipate pests do not develop resistance safe to pollinators, productive insects, bio-control agents, cattle, poultry and human beings and hence are ecofriendly.

S. Sadakathulla, N. Raju & M.Meerazinudeen

TRRI, Aduthurai 612 101

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