SAVE RICE CROP FROM THE ATTACK OF LEAF FOLDER: PAU EXPERTS

LUDHIANA, SEPTEMBER 12:



"The attack of leaf folder on rice crop has been reported in various parts of the Punjab state. According to the survey conducted by the entomologists of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), it has been observed that the damage is below the economic threshold level (10 per cent damaged leaves)," divulged Dr Balwinder Singh, Head, Department of Entomology, PAU. Noting that the insect-pests attack reduces with the rain, he told that the young larvae feed on unfolded leaves but the older ones fold the leaves longitudinally inwards from the sides and eat on the green matter within the folds, as a result, of which the longitudinal white streaks appear on the attacked leaves. The damage is highest during the months from August to October, informed Dr Singh, saying that the pest damage is comparatively more in fields, receiving higher dosage of nitrogen fertilizers and in the crop remaining under the shade of big trees. Therefore, the fertilizers should be applied as per PAU recommendations only, stressed he. The crop should be regularly examined to check the attack of the pest, advised the expert, adding that it should be controlled, when randomly selected plants from different places show more than 10 per cent damaged leaves. Informing that the attacked leaves show white streaks even after death of the larvae, Dr Singh emphasized that the leaves must be inspected for the presence of surviving larvae, before taking any control measure.



For the control of leaf folder on rice, the PAU expert, Dr Singh has advised the farmers to apply 350 ml of Sutathion 40 EC (triazophos) or one litre Coroban/ Durmet/Force 20 EC (chlorpyhriphos) or 560 ml of Monosil 360 SL (monocrotophos) in 100 litres of water per acre. Dr Singh stressed that no spray should be given against adult moths (having light yellow coloured forewings with three brown stripes) of this pest, when seen flying swiftly on/in the crop because they do not cause any damage to the crop. Only the larvae (emerged from eggs laid by the female moths) causes damage to the crop, said he, while urging the farmers that management measures should be taken as per recommendations and that too, when required.
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