With the monsoon arriving across Satna and the wider Vindhya belt, paddy cultivation has swung into full motion. Farmers are busy planning everything from raising nurseries to transplanting in the main field, yet one tiny insect is keeping them on edge. That insect is the brown plant hopper (BPH), commonly called bhura mahu. It may look utterly insignificant in size, but if it is not checked in time it can wither a lush green field within a matter of days. According to agriculture experts, the real wisdom lies not in acting after the crop is planted, but in taking precautions before the seed even goes into the ground.
When and how the pest strikes
Speaking to TrendKia, Satna based pesticide expert Amit Singh explained that paddy seedlings are usually transplanted into the main field between the third week of June and the third week of July. Depending on the variety, the full crop cycle can stretch anywhere from 90 to 180 days. He said the BPH attack typically begins 35 to 40 days after transplanting, around the time the plants start tillering. The insect hides in the lower part of the plant and keeps sucking its sap, slowly weakening it from within until it begins to dry out. Agricultural scientists call this condition hopper burn.
Precautions to take before sowing
Amit Singh stresses that the fight against this pest should begin even before the seed touches the field. The first step is choosing varieties known to tolerate the brown plant hopper. On this count, varieties such as Pusa Basmati-1, IR-64 and Swarna are considered the better options. Seed treatment should not be taken lightly either. Treating the seed with biological agents like Trichoderma viridi, Pseudomonas fluorescens or Beauveria bassiana significantly boosts the plants' ability to resist diseases and pests.
The role of field hygiene and crop rotation
Experts point out that the BPH first finds shelter in the grass growing on field bunds and in the leftover residue of the previous crop. That is why a thorough cleaning of the field and the destruction of old residue is so important. Adopting crop rotation also helps keep the pest's numbers in check. Another effective tactic is for farmers across a village or area to sow and transplant at the same time, because doing so reduces the chances of the pest spreading from one field to the next.
Balanced fertiliser and water are the biggest weapons
Amit Singh notes that in the hope of a bigger yield, farmers often apply far more urea and other nitrogen rich fertilisers than necessary. The soft, tender growth this triggers in the plants is exactly what attracts the brown plant hopper most quickly. Fertilisers, therefore, must be used in measured quantities. To keep air and light flowing well through the field, it also helps to leave empty strips or alleys at intervals. Beyond that, the technique of periodically drying out the field's water and then refilling it breaks the pest's breeding cycle and weakens its grip.
Act the moment the pest appears
Experts emphasise that constant monitoring of the field is the single most important task. If 10 to 15 insects start appearing on a single plant, it is treated as the economic injury level, and that is precisely the moment to take immediate action. In the early stage, neem based products can do the job, but once the infestation grows heavier, recommended chemical pesticides have to be brought in. One thing must always be kept in mind: spray the lower part of the plant near the roots, because that is where the BPH hides and sucks the sap.
Why the Dominant pesticide is rated effective
For controlling the brown plant hopper, the Dominant insecticide containing dinotefuran 20 percent SG is considered effective. According to Amit Singh, about 80 grams of the chemical per acre can be dissolved in 150 to 200 litres of water and sprayed. For better results, a silicon based sticker can also be added to the mix. Draining the field before spraying and keeping it relatively dry for two to three days afterwards is beneficial. This allows the chemical to work better on the plants and brings the pest under effective control.
A little vigilance prevents a big loss
Taken together, the BPH is a challenge that can cause heavy financial losses for paddy farmers in just a few days. Yet it can be tackled with ease by adopting measures such as choosing the right variety, treating the seed, keeping the field clean, managing fertilisers in a balanced way and using pesticides on time. Experts advise farmers to start their preparations right now and maintain regular monitoring, so that the paddy crop stays safe and production is not affected in any way.
