Lahore: The Punjab Agriculture department has issued an advisory for rice growers regarding the control of the rice leaf folder. The advisory urged rice growers to select shaded areas of the fields to monitor the crop for early infestation of the leaf folder. said a press release issued here on Monday.
To control the pest. weeds growing on field bunds should be removed. he added. Advisory further advised farmers to conduct regular weekly pest scouting of rice fields and install light traps for effective monitoring of the pest. Farmers were also advised to avoid excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers.
Spokesman said. “For chemical control. when the economic threshold level is reached two folded leaves per plant farmers should consult local experts of the Punjab Agriculture department before using recommended granular pesticides or insecticides. ” Spraying should be carried out while observing the pre-harvest interval. or granular pesticides should be broadcast into standing water as recommended.
