Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

OCCURRENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF RICE GALL MIDGE IN TRANSPLANTED RICE (ORSEOLIA ORYZAE WOOD MASON)

G. Mardi, A.C. Pandey and S S. Kumar

Abstract

For the study of occurrence of Rice Gall Midge in Transplanted rice three grasses Eleusine id/ca, Bothriochloo sp. and Pospalum sp. have been recorded as alternative host of rice gall midge. Highest infestation was observed on Eleusine id/ca in second week of July. Seasonal occurrence of Orseo/ia oryzae WM. on kharif rice showed that pest infestation started in second week of August and continued upto last week of October, the peak activity was observed in last week of September. Parasite activity of Platygaster oryzae was started in the last week of August, at the minimum host infestation of 2.0%. The peak activity occurred during second week of October, consequently heavy (42%) mortality of gall midge due to this natural enemy was observed during this month. Field trial, for the management of gall midge by insecticides, was conducted in transplanted kharif rice.The lowest incidence of rice gall midge was observed in the plots treated with Carbofuran 3G followed by Chloropyriphos 40EC and Phorate 10G. Highest grain yield was also obtained from the plots treated with Carbofuran 3G (3032.5 kg/ha) followed by Chloropyriphos 40EC (2910.0 kg/ha) and Phorate 10G (2832.5 kg/ha). The cost benefit ratio showed that Chloropyriphos was most economical.