Kerala Centre for Pest Management issues alert over pest infestations in Kuttanad paddy fields

The Kerala Centre for Pest Management (KCPM) has issued an alert over white-backed planthopper, stemborer and leaf folder infestations in paddy fields in Kuttanad and other parts of Alappuzha.

Officials said the presence of white-backed planthopper had been confirmed in fields under Thakazhi, Kainakary, and Karuvatta Krishi Bhavans. The insects have been found in fields undergoing second-season paddy cultivation, about 40 days after sowing.

Stemborer and leaf folder have been detected in fields under Nedumudy, Karuvatta, Thakazhy and Punnapra North Krishi Bhavans, around 35 days after sowing.

No need for pesticides

Officials said that there was no need to apply pesticides now against the white-backed planthopper. For pests like stem borer and leaf folder, if necessary, it is preferable to apply granular insecticides mixed with fertilizer rather than spraying pesticides.

Officials warned that with the rain subsiding, attacks by the brown planthopper usually follow white-backed planthopper infestations. “Unnecessary pesticide application is the main reason for severe pest outbreaks. Farmers should not apply pesticides against other pests without following technical advice under any circumstances,” said an official.

For queries, contact: 9567819958 (Champakulam/Pulinkunnu), 8547865338 (Nedumudi), 9961392082 (Kainakary), 9633815621 (Thakazhi/Neelamperoor), 7034342115 (Alappuzha), 8281032167 (Karuvatta), 9074306585 (Punnapra), 9747731783 (Ambalappuzha) and 9747962127 (Purakkad).

Bacterial leaf blight

Last month, the KCPM issued a similar alert over the outbreak of bacterial leaf blight disease in the paddy fields under five Krishi Bhavans—Karuvatta, Nedumudy, Kainakary, Thakazhy and Neelamperoor—in areas under second-season cultivation. Prior to that, black bug infestations were confirmed in paddy fields under the Krishi Bhavans of Punnapra, Nedumudy, Kainakary and Champakulam.