Bhubaneswar: Authorities of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) suspected that the pests that damaged crops in around 1.8 lakh hectares in Odisha might have developed resistance against some pesticides, even as the State Government is in the eye of the storm for allegedly failing to intervene and control the pest menace.
Farmers suffered huge loss as, it appears, Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) developed resistance against imidacloprid, which is a systemic insecticide that acts as an insect neurotoxin, said Prof Surendranath Pasupalak, OUAT Vice Chancellor.
Prof Pasupalak said, "Farmers generally apply imidacloprid, which did not work this time. Other insecticides were washed away in the rain that continued for several days last month. We also suspect resurgence of BPH due to regular use of one pesticide though we always advice farmers to alternate the pesticides. Further research is on to identify reasons for which the pests developed resistance."
The agro scientist said citing huge multiplication of pests due to untimely rain. Though 10 to 15 insects are usually sighted on one hill at a time during such crisis, this time more than 100 insects were spotted on one plant.
For the next rabi and kharif seasons, the university has issued a list of six other insecticides. Farmers have been advised to apply flonicamid 50 pc WG, dichlorvos 76 per cent EC, pymetrozine 50 pc WG, buprofezin 25 pc SC, dinotefuran 20 pc SG and fipronil 5 pc SC on their crops.
Source:http://www.newindianexpress.com
