Abstract:
Though the chemical control is an effective method in pest control, its impacts on
environment as well as human health has drawn the attention of public. Therefore
the efficacy of plant extract to control some of the pests on rice was tested. Water
extract of a mixture of bird chili varieties were prepared and applied on eight plots
of rice, from seedling stage to harvesting stage. Another eight plots not treated
were considered as control plots. The numbers of insect species in the control plot
and treated plots were recorded weekly. There were no significant differences (t-values > 0.05) on density of Scotinophora lurida, Cnaphalocrosis medinalis,
Scirpophaga incertulus, Dicladispa armigera, Orseolia orizae and Grass hoppers
before and after applying these bird chili extracts, but there was a significant
difference on the density of paddy bug (Leptocoriza oratorius) (t-values < 0.0001)
after applying the extracts of bird chili. The result reveals that, Leptocoriza
oratorius one of the major pests of paddy, could be controlled very effectively by
using this cheaper and environment friendly botanical.
