Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati   

Ryots warned of BPH outbreak

Staff Reporter

THE ROOT CAUSE: Scientists showing a bunch of Brown Plant Hopper-affected (BPH) paddy crop

TIRUPATI: Farm scientists of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) of Tirupati have warned farmers about the outbreak of Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) in the paddy crop grown extensively in the district.

The hoppers normally suck the sap from the basal portion of a stem that makes the crop turn yellow or brown and eventually it dries up. Acting on a complaint from the farmers of Tirupati rural and Chandragiri areas about the drying up of plants in patches, Associate Director of Research at RARS P. V. Reddy formed a two-member team to investigate the issue that confirmed the BPH presence.

Scientists P. Harinath Naidu (Plant pathology) and T. Muralikrishna (Entomology), who conducted an extensive survey in the region, observed hundreds of nymphs and adults of BPH at the base of plants and suggested the farmers to drain off the water and allow the fields to dry for 2-3 days and not to apply urea till BPH infestation is brought under control.

The farmers have also been advised to apply a mixture of neem cake and urea at 1:5 ratio and form alleys for every 2 metre distance at 20 cm width.

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