Dong Nai Agency of Plant Conservation has applied a system of light-trap to forecast pest’ development

According to a report of Steering Board for preventing pests, short-yellow-twisted leaves in Southern Provinces, in total of over 1.5 million ha of rice in this crop, there are over 115 thousand ha of infection with average density 1.000-2.000 pest per square, some places got high density over 6.000 pest per square

In Dong Nai, despite sowing already of nearly 10 thousand ha for Winter-Spring Crop, there are about 1 thousand ha infected. According to experts’ forecast, the current weather that is cold at night and hot at daytime is very appropriate for multiplying pests on plants. Especially, in next 2 months before Tet holiday when pests grow quickly, it is very necessary to keep an eye on and mobilize farmers to spray pesticide right in week of Tet holiday.

To be active in prevention, Dong Nai Agency of Plant Conservation set a system of light-trap on the fields that used to attract and eliminate pests, but the major purpose is statistics and monitoring daily density. Base on that, it will define schedules for seeding and preventing in local

Thanks to this light-trap, whole Cam My district has sown nearly 400 ha of rice for winter-spring crop just in some days at the last December. From early December 2006 to now, whole province has applied “avoiding pests” methods through forecasting system of light-trap for sowing nearly 10.000 ha of rice in winter-spring crop. After seeding, agricultural executives still keep an eye on pests through light-trap system. When recognizing pests from the age of 1 to 3 (namely from 5-7 day age), they will organize to spray pesticide.

Actually, it is not too complicated to make a light-trap. The main part is a 0.6 m long light bulb and glass plates set around, below the light-trap is a tray of pest contain. Total expense to do a light-trap is only over 1 million VND

Going and getting in right place ending to see and understand farmer’s concerns, urgent matters and worrying that annually live constantly on fields. Before, farmers are only afraid of paddies infected without caring of pests. But now is different from before, farmers regard pests as number one enemy to kill. According to language of advertisements pests now are “2 in 1” both harm to paddies and spread germs of short-yellow-twisted leaves. And the system of light-trap considers as the most effective measures to prevent this epidemic now. 

(Translated by THKC)