NOVEL APPROACHES IN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR CONTROLLING APHID INFESTATION IN RICE: A FIELD STUDY

This study investigates the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for controlling aphid infestations in rice fields. The research evaluates biological control agents, plant-based biopesticides, resistant rice varieties, and chemical insecticides across two growing seasons. The results indicate that chemical insecticides were the most effective in reducing aphid populations and minimizing aphid-induced damage, leading to significantly higher rice yields. Biopesticides, particularly neem-based formulations, also demonstrated substantial efficacy in managing aphids while maintaining better ecological balance compared to chemical treatments. Biological control, such as the use of ladybugs, effectively reduced aphid populations but had a limited impact on preventing damage to rice plants. The introduction of aphid-resistant rice varieties provided moderate protection, though they did not completely eliminate aphid-induced damage. A multi-pronged approach combining biopesticides and chemical insecticides showed the best outcomes in terms of aphid control, plant health, and yield. Additionally, farmer perceptions of treatment effectiveness were favorable toward biopesticides, although concerns regarding the higher costs of chemical insecticides persisted. The findings underscore the potential of IPM strategies to reduce aphid populations and enhance rice yields while minimizing environmental risks. This study contributes valuable insights for the development of sustainable pest management practices in rice farming, promoting environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticide dependence.