Use of biological agents to control fall armyworm

Faced with this situation, the provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (PPP) has implemented a solution using biological agents to control fall armyworms. This method minimizes the widespread use of chemicals by people, contributing to the protection and development of safe and sustainable production; improving economic efficiency, protecting human health and the environment. 30 farmers specializing in growing corn in Thanh Yen commune, Dien Bien district participated in a training course on integrated pest management (IPM/IPHM) for fall armyworms on corn implemented by the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection in coordination with the Northern Plant Protection Center.

The integrated fall armyworm IPM management (IPM/IPHM) model on corn uses sweet and sour bait traps to attract and destroy adult worms before larvae cause damage, contributing to minimizing damage caused by fall armyworm.

The training course lasts throughout the corn season and focuses on the five growth stages of corn. The training course applies the motto of “hands-on”, combining theory with field experiments. In all activities, students discuss in a two-way manner, with the instructor as the moderator and guide, from which the class draws experience, supplements theory with practice, synthesizes issues and resolves questions when necessary. Thereby, it is changed to suit local farming and soil conditions.

Mr. Pham Xuan Hung, Head of Bai Mau village, Thanh Yen commune said: Although I have been a corn grower for many years, when participating in this training course, I, as well as other trainees, have recognized which are pests and which are natural enemies in order to have appropriate management measures. Participating in experiments such as: comparing the resistance of some corn varieties to fall armyworms, experiments on the effectiveness of baiting traps, experiments on simulated leaf-eating worms... I found it easy to apply to actual production conditions, highly effective in prevention, not costing much in production but increasing economic efficiency.

Students participate in a practical training class to experiment with making bait traps to kill fall armyworms, reducing their density in the fields.

The method of applying IPM/IPHM in fall armyworm management has shown to be effective in controlling fall armyworm, reducing pesticides by 2 times, reducing seeds by 20%, nitrogen fertilizer by 20%, and reducing input costs compared to farmers' previous farming practices.

Mr. Pham Dinh Lai, Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, said: The training course helps farmers grasp the process of integrated management of pests and diseases on corn plants, the process of integrated management of fall armyworms. According to important stages, trainees go to the fields to investigate the corn ecosystem to observe indicators of growth and development; changes in density, the rate of damage caused by pests and diseases as well as discuss, evaluate, analyze and propose further management measures. Thereby, trainees grasp measurement techniques, observation indicators, know how to evaluate and make decisions based on field reality.

Officers of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection check the growth and development of corn plants.

With the knowledge provided, students will gain more understanding of technical advances applied to production, change farming practices, and gain confidence in implementing IPM into production practices. At the same time, farmers participating in the training will be the focal point for spreading the IPM program locally.

Mr. Lo Van Ngoc, an agricultural extension officer of Thanh Yen commune, said: The knowledge acquired from the training course is very practical for farmers in the commune. In the coming time, on that basis, the commune will continue to promote propaganda and mobilize people to boldly apply technical advances in production and shift towards sustainable farming. Instruct villages and teams to continue to maintain and replicate the model of integrated fall armyworm management on corn in the following crops.

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