MANAGEMENT TRENDS OF RICE INSECT PESTS IN SOUTH ASIA: A REVIEW

Abstract

Rice is a staple food to over half of the world population. It is an economically important crop throughout South Asia. Rice in this region is susceptible to insect pests such as Planthoppers, Leafhoppers, Stem borers, Hispa and many others. Several management practices have been adopted in the region since historic times. The management practices include cultural, biological and chemical methods in addition to integrated and miscellaneous approaches. Rice farmers in the region rely heavily on the conventional cultural practices. However, the trend is shifting slowly to the chemical approaches with gradual increase in availability and affordability of synthetic insecticides. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which focuses on sustainable crop production, has shown promising results. Modern management techniques such as genetic modification, use of digital technology, resistant cultivars, fungal entomopathogens etc. are more effective and eco-friendly. The focus at present should be the adoption of modified cultural methods, judicious application of chemicals, use of resistant cultivars and exploitation of biological resources.