People prevent pests on lotus

Mr. Nguyen Van Tam in Dien Hoa commune (Phong Dien) has been renting a pond to grow lotus for several years now. Before renting the pond to grow lotus, Mr. Tam researched and learned about lotus growing experience for productivity and efficiency, especially in preventing harmful pests. From the first years, lotus has achieved high productivity and profit almost every year. The efficiency of growing lotus can be 5-6 times higher than growing rice. This year's lotus crop alone was almost a total loss.

According to Mr. Tam, the complicated and erratic weather since the beginning of the year has caused the lotus to grow poorly, along with some dangerous diseases such as anthracnose and fungus, causing the lotus to flower less, not bear fruit, and some plants to have empty seeds. These are diseases that people and authorities have not yet had effective measures to treat or prevent. A lotus pond of nearly 1 hectare of Mr. Tam this season only yielded about 5-10 kg, a significant decrease compared to the previous season.

Not only Dien Hoa but also the lotus crop this year in neighboring localities such as Dien Loc also suffered a severe crop failure. Mr. Ho Dieu in Dien Loc commune, one of the lotus growers with the largest area in Phong Dien district with nearly 10 hectares, expressed concern about dangerous diseases that have not been completely and effectively prevented so far. Pests and diseases along with the damage caused by field mice have also greatly affected the productivity and quality of lotus seeds this year. Mr. Dieu expressed his wish: "The agricultural sector and relevant agencies need to soon take measures to prevent dangerous pests and diseases and measures to improve the efficiency of lotus cultivation."

Head of the provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection, Mr. Ho Dinh informed that up to now, the lotus area in the whole province is about 655 hectares, of which many areas are in the flowering stage and some areas are being harvested by people. In general, this year's lotus growth and development is not as good as last year. Some dangerous diseases such as fungus, anthracnose... cause lotus to lose productivity, many growers almost lose everything.

Regarding the reason for the low lotus yield, Mr. Dinh said that it was due to the prolonged hot weather and complicated developments, while many growers were still taking advantage of the lotus area regenerated from previous crops. Growers were not proactive in the source of local seeds, so they had to buy seeds from other places, of unclear origin, susceptible to pests and diseases; did not pay attention to field sanitation before planting, care, and fertilization were not balanced. These were the reasons why the lotus plants developed poorly, were affected by leaf spot, tuber rot, root rot caused by fungi, anthracnose, etc. Therefore, most of the lotus areas that had been planted for many years had crop failures, small shoots and seeds, and low productivity and output.

Due to the characteristics of Hue lotus with delicious aroma and quality, it is favored by the market. Although the yield has decreased this year, the current lotus price is quite high, averaging 180,000 VND/kg for peeled lotus seeds, 45-50,000 VND/kg for fresh unpeeled lotus seeds. This price has increased by 20-30% compared to the same period last year. However, due to severe crop failure, most households growing lotus with large areas suffered heavy losses this season, a few broke even and made low profits.

To be proactive in production management and prevention of harmful organisms on lotus plants, the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection has organized recommendations and instructions for lotus growers on care measures according to regulations and scientific technical processes of the agricultural sector. Accordingly, people are advised to increase care, add manure, fertilize in a balanced and sufficient manner, and adjust the water level appropriately for the plants to grow and develop. Before planting and during the care process, the fields must be cleaned and exposed, old leaves and plant parts severely damaged by pests and diseases must be removed and destroyed.

Article and photos: The Hoang