Brown Planthoppers And Ecological Resilience In Rice: The Pesticide Concern
Thursday, January 5, 2012 - 11:50
in Mathematics & Economics
One of the most effective arguments for science solutions to agriculture issues is the misuse of pesticides. It's one area where activists and scientists agree.Brown planthoppers are one of a rice farmer's worst fears. Considered a major scourge in rice-producing countries, planthoppers cause considerable damage by sucking sap from rice plants, causing them to wilt and die. They also transmit three viral diseases that stunt rice plants and prevent grain formation. The obvious solution of the past few decades has been to rely on pesticides but beneficial insects that prey on planthoppers are killed inadvertently when insecticides are misused or are used indiscriminately. read more