Proactively control pests and diseases affecting spring rice crops.

This year, the province planted over 26,000 hectares of spring rice. Currently, the rice plants are in the growth stage, preparing for panicle differentiation, and are expected to flower between May 5th and 20th. This is the time when pests and diseases emerge and develop, posing a risk of damage to the rice during the flowering stage if not controlled promptly.

According to information from the Sub-Department of Agriculture and Forestry (Department of Agriculture and Environment), several types of pests and diseases are currently emerging in the spring rice crop. Rice blast disease is appearing at a level similar to that of recent spring crops. The disease is causing severe damage to highly susceptible rice varieties such as TBR 225, J02, Glutinous rice, Ai 32, Nhi Uu 838, etc.; densely planted areas; and areas with healthy, green rice plants. The disease is affecting some rice fields in Thanh Liem and Binh Luc districts and Kim Bang town. The average disease rate is scattered, with some areas showing 3-5% of leaves, and localized areas exceeding 10% of leaves. The total area with disease spots is 40.2 hectares, and the infected area is 36.2 hectares. Local authorities have directed farmers to spray for control on 28.8 hectares and treated 8.3 hectares with two rounds of spraying. In Kim Bang town, where spring rice was sown early, rice blast disease has been detected affecting 14.5 hectares scattered across various localities and has been controlled. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Deputy Director of the Kim Bang Agricultural Services Center, said: "The incidence of rice blast is not yet widespread, but it will be a source of dangerous neck blast disease during the rice heading stage, easily leading to localized crop failure. The Center is actively directing and guiding localities to thoroughly control rice blast disease in spring rice crops."

Along with rice blast disease, several pests are appearing in the province's spring rice crop. Among them, rats are causing scattered damage in areas near villages and on mounds. This is a pest that requires attention and regular control measures to limit the source of damage, especially during the rice heading and flowering stages. Other pests that are likely to appear and cause damage in the coming time include: Southern rice black-striped dwarf disease, small leaf-rolling caterpillars, brown planthoppers and white-backed planthoppers, bacterial blight, and several other pests. According to Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Forestry Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), this year's weather has been quite favorable for the growth and development of the spring rice crop. From the beginning of the season, pest outbreaks have been minimal and well controlled. However, during the flowering period, particularly from May 5th to 20th, pests and diseases are very likely to develop and cause significant damage. Therefore, agricultural service centers in districts, cities, and towns, as well as agricultural service cooperatives, need to strengthen their inspection and guidance of farmers on pest control.

Agricultural extension officers inspect the situation regarding the outbreak and damage caused by pests and diseases in the spring rice crop.

To effectively control pests and diseases during the growth stages of rice plants, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry has implemented control measures in localities using the "four correct" method: correct timing, correct pesticide, correct dosage, and correct spraying technique. Initially, focus is placed on closely monitoring fields to detect the development and density of pests and diseases in order to control them promptly and effectively when they reach critical levels. Rice blast is likely to develop strongly if the weather remains favorable for its growth (cloudy weather, light rain, or scattered drizzle). Therefore, localities need to pay attention to heavily susceptible varieties, areas with unbalanced fertilization, and areas with healthy green rice plants; in spring rice fields where rice blast has already appeared, stop applying nitrogen and potassium fertilizers, refrain from spraying growth stimulants and foliar fertilizers, and always maintain sufficient water in the fields. Organize spraying in areas showing early signs of acute disease, and repeat the spraying 4-5 days after the first if the disease continues to develop. To prevent and control Southern rice black-striped dwarf disease, it is necessary to specifically investigate the density of white-backed planthoppers, and early detect rice plants with deformities, dark green leaves, stunted growth, and serrated white streaks along the edges... When rice plants show symptoms of the disease, agricultural service cooperative staff and local plant protection officers should immediately report to the Agricultural Service Center for inspection, verification, and specific control measures to achieve effectiveness. According to Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Forestry Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), the next stage when the rice heads is the most important time for pest control in spring rice. Inspection and detection of pests and diseases in the fields need to be emphasized, avoiding complacency in control.

This year's spring rice crop weather remains unfavorable, creating conditions for pests and diseases to continue to emerge, develop, and damage the rice crop. Pest and disease control efforts still need attention, especially investigation, forecasting, and prediction. Local authorities should continue to promote the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for spraying pesticides to improve control efficiency, making a significant contribution to protecting the spring rice crop and preventing yield reductions or localized crop failures due to pests and diseases.

Manh Hung

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/chu-dong-phong-tru-cac-doi-tuong-dich-hai-cho-lua-xuan-156133.html