Proactively care for and protect the late-season winter-spring rice crop.

QTO - Currently, over 55,000 hectares of winter-spring rice in the province are entering the flowering stage, a crucial period for determining yield and harvest production. Relatively favorable weather conditions have helped the rice plants grow well, but at the same time, they have created conditions for the emergence and spread of many pests and diseases. In response to this situation, the Department of Agriculture and local authorities are intensifying efforts to guide farmers on effective technical measures for crop care and pest control.

Pest outbreaks are becoming increasingly complex.

Standing beside his nearly 4-acre rice field devastated by rats, Mr. Le Duc Quynh from Team 1, Mai Dan village, Hai Lang commune, sadly stated that he had never experienced such a severe rat infestation as this winter-spring season. Notably, the rats didn't just gnaw sporadically, but concentrated their attacks on specific areas. In some rice paddies, the surrounding fields were still lush and green, but a large section in the middle was completely destroyed. According to Mr. Quynh, the area severely damaged by rats in Team 1 alone amounts to over 4 hectares. Despite implementing various measures from plastic sheeting and traps to using poison bait, the damage has not been effectively contained.

“On this land, in previous years the yield reached about 3 quintals/acre, but now the expected harvest is only about 20-30 kg/acre. If there isn't a more fundamental solution, it will be difficult for us farmers to stay in the fields for the next season,” Mr. Quynh said.

According to Le Thi Thanh Nga, Head of the Economic Department of Hai Lang commune, this year's winter-spring crop saw the entire commune planting over 736 hectares of rice with key varieties including Khang Dan, HC95, HG244, HG12… Field inspections revealed some areas damaged by rats, golden apple snails, and rice blast disease.

Based on that, the People's Committee of the commune issued timely directives, which basically brought the disease under control, especially rice blast disease on the J02 rice variety. Regarding rats, the local authorities directed cooperatives and people to proactively implement control measures according to the guidance of specialized agencies; and simultaneously implemented a policy to support the use of biological rat poison. However, since the rice plants are currently in the heading stage, the commune is considering its options. If it cannot be used in time for this season, the poison will be stockpiled for use in the next summer-autumn crop.

"Currently, the rice crop is entering its final stage, so the People's Committee of the commune has assigned specialized staff to actively monitor the fields, coordinating with the Plant Cultivation and Protection Station to track the development of pests and diseases in order to take timely preventive measures," Ms. Nga said.

Farmers in My Thuy commune spray pesticides to prevent rice blast disease according to instructions from specialized agencies - Photo: LA

According to statistics from the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the pest situation on rice crops is becoming increasingly complex with the simultaneous appearance of multiple pests. Most worrying is the rat infestation, affecting over 1,000 hectares with damage rates commonly ranging from 3% to 5%, reaching 10% to 20% in some areas, and even exceeding 20% ​​in localized areas.

In addition, rice blast disease is also increasing in infected area to 957 hectares, concentrated in the communes of Ben Hai, Con Tien, Hieu Giang, Cam Lo, Hai Lang, etc., with localized damage rates reaching over 50% in some areas. Bacterial diseases such as bacterial stripe disease, bacterial blight, brown spot disease, leaf blast, and small leaf roller are also damaging rice crops on an area of ​​over 835 hectares. Notably, brown planthopper and white-backed planthopper have begun to appear on an area of ​​46 hectares, with a common damage density of 200-1,000 individuals/m2, and localized areas exceeding 1,000 individuals/m2; concentrated in the communes of Ninh Chau, Cam Hong, Le Thuy, Hai Lang, Nam Hai Lang, etc.

Focus on caring for the rice crop during the "finishing" stage.

Recognizing that the flowering stage is a time when rice plants are very "sensitive" to pests, diseases, and adverse weather conditions, it's not uncommon to see farmers inspecting their fields throughout the province these days, closely monitoring the condition of their rice plants to take timely action.

Mr. Le Van Tan, from My Thuy commune, shared that this year the rice plants are growing quite well, flowering evenly, and producing long grains. However, based on his experience, Mr. Tan determined that the flowering stage is also when rice plants are most susceptible to rice blast disease and various types of planthoppers. Therefore, he proactively carried out early spraying to protect his production, especially given the current complex weather conditions.

According to Le Dac Trieu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of My Thuy commune, this year's winter-spring crop saw the entire commune planting over 910 hectares of rice, achieving 100% of the plan. To protect production, the People's Committee of the commune has directed specialized staff to strengthen their presence at the grassroots level, guiding farmers to implement pest control measures according to the correct procedures, paying particular attention to pests that often occur during the rice flowering stage such as blast disease and various types of planthoppers. The commune has also directed cooperatives to proactively implement measures to prevent drought and flooding that may occur. "At this point, the rice plants are basically developing well. If pests and diseases are well controlled and the weather is favorable, the chances of a good harvest are very high," Mr. Trieu affirmed.

According to Nguyen Hong Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province planted nearly 55,000 hectares of rice during this winter-spring season. Currently, the rice crops are in the flowering stage and growing well. However, because this is the transitional period between seasons, the high humidity and large temperature differences between day and night create favorable conditions for the emergence of many pests and diseases, especially rice blast, various types of planthoppers, and small leaf-rolling caterpillars.

To ensure a successful winter-spring crop, localities need to strengthen propaganda and warnings about extreme weather conditions and pests affecting rice crops from now until the end of the season so that people are aware and can proactively respond; urge and direct cooperatives and farmers to strengthen field inspections, focus on care, respond to natural disasters and control pests and diseases in a timely manner.

Particular attention should be paid to rice blast disease, focusing on susceptible varieties such as J02, HC95, ST25, etc. For leaf blast, spray when the disease rate reaches 5% and immediately stop applying nitrogen fertilizer or growth stimulants. For neck blast, spray twice, 5-7 days before and 5-7 days after heading. For brown planthopper and white-backed planthopper, carefully inspect the base and sheaths of the rice plants and spray in areas with densities exceeding 2,000 insects/m2 to avoid "planthopper outbreaks" at the end of the season.

"The Department has also directed specialized units to strengthen the deployment of staff to closely monitor the situation at the grassroots level to inspect, detect, and guide timely prevention and control of rice pests and diseases," Ms. Phuong added.

Le An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202604/chu-dong-cham-care-protect-winter-spring-rice-at-the-end-of-the-season-4712579/