Leaf Folder Management In Rice

Leaf folders are the caterpillars of a moth. The rice leaf folder is a common pest, and that can be found in all rice growth stages. Heavy use of fertilizer encourages the rapid multiplication of insects. The other factors that favor the growth of the rice leaf folder are high humidity, shady areas of the field, and the presence of grassy fields. Some other interesting facts about these leaf folders are:

• These caterpillars roll leaves around their bodies and feed inside the tube.
• The most damaging stage is during tilling as this can reduce the yield of the crop.
• These pests survive by feeding on weeds around the bunds.
• The caterpillars are yellow to green.
• Heavily infested fields appear scorched and have many folded leaves.

How to Identify?

• Check the plants for these symptoms.
• Longitudinal and transparent whitish streaks on damaged leaves
• Tubular folded leaves
• Leaf tips sometimes fastened to the basal part of the leaf
• The heavily infested area appears scorched with many folded leaves
• Disc-shaped oval eggs
• Young larvae feeding on the base of the youngest unopened leaves
• Folded leaves enclosing the feeding larvae
  

How to Manage the Leaf Folder?

Rice leaf folders occur in all rice environments and are more abundant during the rainy seasons. The damage caused by them is important to deal with as when it infests the reproductive phase of the crop, the damage can be economically serious. High feeding damage on the leaves can cause yield loss. The common points to manage them are:

• Use thorn wood on the leaves during hot weather to chase the insects away
• Rice crops can recover from the early damage with enough water and balanced fertilizer
• If infestations are high, insecticide sprays are helpful
• Reduce the density of planting
• Use resistant varieties

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Spraying pesticides is not advisable during early crop stages. Most early season insecticide-use have little or no economic returns. Instead, it can cause ecological disruptions in natural biological control processes.

Dhanuka Agritech Ltd is a leading agrochemical company producing eco-friendly pesticides, after a great deal of research. The company offers solutions for all major crops grown in the country including, cotton, paddy, wheat, sugarcane, pulses, fruits & vegetables, plantation crops, and others. Dhanuka is recognized as one of the leaders amongst Indian Agrochemical Companies in branded agrochemical product sales.

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Dhanuka Cover Liq (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% W/W SC) is an efficient and result-oriented broad-spectrum insecticide. Dhanuka Cover, with its unique mode of action, provides effective and long duration protection to different pests. The cover prevents the build-up of the pest population and maximizes the crop yield potential. Visit their website for more details and information about the product.