The use of insecticides in rice cultivation do not give any yield advantage to farmers, rather increase production cost as well as environmental pollution.
A new study of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) shows that preventive use of insecticides for rice pests management do not give any yield advantage, or those were at par compared to only perching (of branches of plants in rice fields to provide roosting for birds) or perching along with sweeping (with nets to catch insects) techniques.
Scientists of Entomology Division of BRRI conducted eight experiments in farmers’ fields of Pirganj and Taraganj under the Integrated Agricultural Productivity Project (IAPP) during 2012-2014 in two T (Transplanted) Aman and Boro seasons.
During the trials, farmers who applied pesticides in their fields 3-5 times yielded lower compare to all other managements.
The findings of the BRRI study, which was published in the current issue of its journal shows that insecticide application also reduced the number natural enemies of insects that can damage the crop.
In some seasons and locations, some natural enemies were not found particularly where insecticide was used indiscriminately indicating that indiscriminate use of insecticide has a detrimental effect on the population of natural enemies
The study suggested farmers should avoid continuous or indiscriminate use of insecticide and apply the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method to manage insects in their fields to get better yield as well as prevent environment pollution.
