DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 29 (MExN): The District Agriculture Officer and Project Director ATMA, Dimapur Ahovi Sema has informed that BPH (Nilaparvata lugens) outbreak has been reported to the DAO, Dimapur on standing paddy crop. This particular pest has never been reported in Nagaland which is believed to have “migrated or secondary outbreak due to excessive /rampant application of strong pesticides by the tenant farmers where the natural enemies, defending parasites have been completely destroyed or killed in the rice ecosystem”.
The DAO, Dimapur and his team comprising of Mr. Dipak Chetri, STA-Tissue culture Lab; Smti. Rongseninla, Dy. Director of Agriculture; Smti. Bendanglila, APP; Toivi Swu, AO; Tsanthungo, AFA; Akato Chishi, DPD-ATMA & Vinoka Kiba, SMS-ATMA quickly responded to the pest outbreak. It was informed that eco-friendly plant protection chemicals have been distributed to the farmers. Although, the pest is under control, resurgence of another pest like army worm (Mythimna separata) could take their place. Therefore, the farmers have been instructed to keep a close eye on the pest scenario.
The DAO informed that BPH is a brown coloured bug measuring about 3.5 - 4.5 mm. both adults and nymphs suck the plant sap of grass family, injects a toxin through its saliva causing grassy stunt disease and hopper burn. According to the assessment done the outbreak could have been because of excessive application of nitrogenous fertilizers; migration from other place, since BPH can fly up to 1000 km at 1000 feet high with the direction of the wind; disturbance of natural enemies for biological control; closer spacing during transplanting; poor cultural practices and even climate change.
Surveillance and monitoring is actively in progress and the farmers are also requested to keep a close eye in case of any pest outbreak that may result in considerable loss in production, the DAO informed.
The DAO, Dimapur and his team comprising of Mr. Dipak Chetri, STA-Tissue culture Lab; Smti. Rongseninla, Dy. Director of Agriculture; Smti. Bendanglila, APP; Toivi Swu, AO; Tsanthungo, AFA; Akato Chishi, DPD-ATMA & Vinoka Kiba, SMS-ATMA quickly responded to the pest outbreak. It was informed that eco-friendly plant protection chemicals have been distributed to the farmers. Although, the pest is under control, resurgence of another pest like army worm (Mythimna separata) could take their place. Therefore, the farmers have been instructed to keep a close eye on the pest scenario.
The DAO informed that BPH is a brown coloured bug measuring about 3.5 - 4.5 mm. both adults and nymphs suck the plant sap of grass family, injects a toxin through its saliva causing grassy stunt disease and hopper burn. According to the assessment done the outbreak could have been because of excessive application of nitrogenous fertilizers; migration from other place, since BPH can fly up to 1000 km at 1000 feet high with the direction of the wind; disturbance of natural enemies for biological control; closer spacing during transplanting; poor cultural practices and even climate change.
Surveillance and monitoring is actively in progress and the farmers are also requested to keep a close eye in case of any pest outbreak that may result in considerable loss in production, the DAO informed.
