Harvest Time
IPM is easier and cheaper than you think
By Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico
FARMERS who are not yet practicing integrated pest management or IPM may as well follow the innovators to enjoy the numerous benefits from this practice. It is a lot easier and cheaper than you think.
IPM may be defined as an agro-ecological method of sustaining the long-term benefits of rice production through the use of different techniques on the management of rice insect pests and diseases without causing any damage on the environment.
For a start, learn the interactions of the rice crop with biotic factors, the agro-ecosystem, and the crop management system to understand the destructive potential of pests, according to PhilRice experts. One identify pests correctly and apply integrated crop management technologies, like use of resistant varieties, land preparation, date and method of crop establishment, biological control, varietal rotation, fertilizer and water management, pesticides, to successfully follow IPM.
PhilRice’s handbook, PalayCheck System for Irrigated Lowland Rice, states that the use of resistant varieties is the first line of defense in pest management and is compatible with biological control. Change or rotate varieties every 2-4 croppings to delay insect pest and disease adaptation and, hence, prevent build up of virulent disease organisms and insect pests.
Likewise, adopt synchronous planting scheme after a fallow period in the locality. Allow a fallow period of at least a month from harvest to the establishment of the next crop. This can break the pest cycle and facilitate the success of crop management practices. Synchronous planting requires farmers in a locality to plant within one month after the fallow period.
Also needed is the conservation of beneficial organisms, as there rich communities of these organisms in the rice ecosystem in the absence of natural enemy-killing insecticides. “The indiscriminate use of pesticides reduces biodiversity and disrupts the natural balance of insect pests and beneficial organisms,” the handbook states.
It adds that conservation of beneficial organisms is safe, economical, and permanent. For example, long-horned grasshopper feeds on the egg mass of stemborers, while spiders feed on the nymphs and adults of leafhoppers and planthoppers. Other beneficial organisms include the damselfly and wasps.
Moreover, conduct regular field monitoring especially at the early stage of crop growth to identify the potential pests at its initial stage of development. Apply preventive management options before diseases spread and reach intolerable levels. Correct management options are recommended for insect pests.
Do not spray against defoliators (insects that feed on the leaves) during the first 30-40 days after transplanting. Plants compensate early season damage by producing new leaves and tillers. Spraying prevents the movement and colonization of beneficial organisms in the field during the early season.
To manage diseases, farmers must diagnose diseases correctly and practice field sanitation to help prevent the spread of diseases. To diagnose diseases, compare the appearance of an infected plant with other plants of the same variety and age. Consider disease distribution, spread, and condition of the field. It also helps to examine the infected plant closely and see if there other organisms on it.
To minimize disease severity, avoid too much application of nitrogen fertilizer. The diseases bacterial blight, sheath blight, and blast can be reduced indirectly by basing nitrogen application on LCC [leaf color chart] readings.
To minimize insect pest and disease occurrence, avoid the following: too much nitrogen application, three croppings a year or short turnaround period, and unnecessary use of pesticides.
The presence of rats can be indicated by active rat burrows, footprints, cut tillers, and runways. Use the trap barrier system [TBS] to monitor rat population. A TBS can be a guide to start rat control operations if it is established one month before the regular cropping season.
Practice the following to effectively manage field rats: proper timing, active and sustained community-wide control, use of flame thrower, hunting, baiting, trapping, and cleaning.
To reduce the weed population, practice the following: proper land preparation, land leveling, water management, use of healthy and clean seeds, varieties with good early vigor, and sound and appropriate use of agrochemicals.
PhilRice experts say weed control is critical during the first 40 days after transplanting or first 30 days after direct seeding.
To be able correctly identify insect pests, get hold of a copy of PhilRice’s Insect Pest Diagnostic Kit by Dr. Truong Hoai Xuan, Herminia R. Rapusas, Dr. Rolando T. Cruz, and Dr. Lina B. Flor-Weisler. The kit is available in Filipino, Iluko, Cebuano, and English. Likewise, get a copy of the handbooks on PalayCheck System and Palaytandaan from the nearest PhilRice branch station. (With Hannah HM M. Biag)
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