Pests Of Rice In
Pakistan
Muhammad zaid Babar
Introduction to
Rice in Pakistan
• Significance:
• Second most important staple
crop after wheat.
• Major export commodity
contributing to the agricultural
economy.
• Cultivation Area: Over 2.5
million hectares annually
Ecological
Zones for Rice
Cultivation
• Basmati Zone
• Moderate rainfall and cooler
temperatures.
• Rich alluvial soils in Punjab.
• Coastal Zone
• Hot and humid climate in Sindh.
• Suitable for IRRI varieties.
• Mountainous Zone
• Small-scale cultivation in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Host-Plant Relationship of Rice
in Pakistan
• Rice serves as a host plant for various
pests and pathogens. These
interactions are critical for
understanding crop health and
productivity. Below are the key pests,
diseases, and their relationship with
rice in Pakistan
Varieties of Rice
In Pakistan
• Super Basmati: A premium
long-grain aromatic rice,
primarily grown in Punjab.
• Basmati 385 and 1121
Basmati: Known for their
slender grains and strong
aroma, favored for exports.
• IRRI-6 and IRRI-9: Non-
basmati, medium-grain
varieties widely grown in
Sindh for local consumption
and export.
Varieties of
Rice In Pakistan
• KS-282: A fine, long-grain
variety popular in both
domestic and international
markets.
• Hybrid Varieties: High-
yielding types cultivated to
boost production.
Pests of the Rice
• Pests
• These pests cause significant
economic losses and are frequently
encountered in rice fields.
• a. Stem Borers
• Scientific Name: Scirpophaga
incertulas (Yellow stem borer)
• Damage: They bore into the stem,
causing "dead hearts" in young
plants and "whiteheads" in mature
plants.
• Importance: Highly damaging,
leading to significant yield loss
Life
Cycle
• Stem borers have
four lifecycle
stages: eggs,
caterpillars, pupae
and moths. Female
moths lay their eggs
on both sides of the
host plant's leaves.
The eggs hatch into
caterpillars after 4-7
days.
Pests of Rice in
Pakistan
• Brown Planthopper
(BPH)
• Scientific
Name: Nilaparvata lugens
• Damage: Sucks sap from
rice plants, causing "hopper
burn" (yellowing and drying
of plants).
• Importance: Major pest
during warm, humid
conditions.
Pests of Rice in Pakistan
• Life cycle
• The incubation period lasts from 4
to 8 days. At first, nymphs are
creamy white with a pale brown
tinge, later becoming dark brown.
On emergence, the nymphs start
feeding on young leaves, and after
moulting 4 to 5 times, they
become adults after 2 to 3 weeks.
Pests of Rice in
Pakistan
• Leaf Folder
• Scientific
Name: Cnaphalocroci
s medinalis
• Damage: Larvae fold
leaves and feed
within, reducing
photosynthesis.
• Importance: Commo
n during the growing
season.
Pests of Rice in Pakistan
• Rice Hispa
• Scientific
Name: Dicladispa
armigera
• Damage: Scrapes
chlorophyll from leaves,
causing a skeletonized
appearance.
• Importance: Severe
damage to foliage.
Pests of Rice in Pakistan
• Minor Pests
• These pests are less frequent and usually cause
moderate damage.
• a. Green Leafhopper (GLH)
• Scientific Name: Nephotettix virescens
• Damage: Vector for rice tungro virus; minor
damage by sap-sucking.
• Importance: Secondary pest, but problematic
when virus-infected.
• b. Rice Gall Midge
• Scientific Name: Orseolia oryzae
• Damage: Causes gall formation known as
"silver shoots."
• Importance: Sporadic pest.
Curative and preventive methods
• Curative Methods:
• Use of recommended insecticides like carbofuran for
controlling pests like stem borers.
• Biological control using predators (e.g., spiders) and
parasitoids (e.g., Trichogramma).
• Preventive Methods:
• Timely sowing and maintaining proper water levels to
discourage pest growth.
• Use of resistant rice varieties.
• Crop rotation and field sanitation to reduce pest
habitats.
• Regular monitoring to detect infestations early
Economic Aspects
• Pests significantly impact rice production in Pakistan, a
major staple and export crop. Infestations, such as
those from stem borers, leafhoppers, and planthoppers,
reduce yields by 20-40%, depending on severity. This
loss translates to billions of rupees annually in economic
damages, affecting farmer incomes and national GDP.
Additional costs include pest control measures, which
increase production expenses. Reduced yields also lead
to higher rice prices, affecting food security. Export
earnings decline due to lower quality and quantity,
impacting foreign exchange reserves. The economic
burden is further compounded by pest-induced shifts in
cropping patterns and reduced land productivity.
