Management of Brown plant hopper in Paddy Crop

This blog contains essential information about the brown plant hopper (BPH), a significant pest threatening paddy fields. We will explore the favorable condition of this destructive insect, the types of damage it causes, and effective management strategies to protect your rice crops from its impact.

What is Brown Plant Hopper?

Brown plant hopper infest the rice crop at all stages of plant growth. Due to feeding by both the nymphs and adults at the base of the tillers, plants turn yellow and dry up rapidly. During the early infestation stage, round yellow patches appear, which soon become brownish due to the drying up of the plants.

Short description of brown plant hopper

Type	Pest
Scientific Name	Nilaparvata lugens
Common Name	Brown plant hopper
Affected plant parts	Base of the plant and leaf sheath

Damage causing stages:

Egg	Minimal, indicates potential future outbreaks
Nymph	Significant leaf yellowing, browning, wilting, stunting, reduced yield
Adult	Continued sap feeding, worsens hopperburn, transmits viruses

Favorable conditions for Brown Plant hopper:

Warm temperatures: Brown plant hopper prefers warm temperatures around 27°C to 33°C, with optimal development rates within this range. Higher temperatures (above 38°C) and lower temperatures (below 15°C) can hinder their survival and reproduction.

High humidity: Brown plant hopper populations flourish in humid environments with relative humidity above 70%. Dry conditions can desiccate eggs and nymphs, reducing their survival rates.

Symptoms of damage of Brown Plant Hopper in paddy crop:

Initial Symptoms:

• yellowing streaks or patches on the younger leaves, particularly near the base. This discoloration is caused by nymphs sucking sap from the plant's phloem vessels.
• Plants might appear slightly stunted compared to healthy counterparts.

Severe Symptoms:

• Extensive yellowing, browning, and drying of leaves, often starting from the tips and margins.
• Circular patches of yellowing and drying leaves appear in the field, gradually enlarging and merging as the BPH infestation spreads.
• Black, sooty mold growth on the lower stems
• Severely affected plants exhibit significant stunting, with distorted and discolored leaves due to nutrient deficiency and viral infections transmitted by BPH.
• Brown plant hopper feeding disrupts plant growth and development, leading to fewer tillers and smaller, malformed panicles, ultimately impacting yield.

Control measures for Brown Plant Hopper:

Biological Control for Brown Plant Hopper

• Release of natural enemies like Lycosa pseudoannulata,Cyrtorhinus lividipennis adult (200 - 250 bugs/ha) during the peak incidence of brown plant hopper at 10 days interval. This manages pest population effectively.
• The common parasites of the eggs are the hymenopteran wasps. Eggs are preyed upon by mirid bugs and phytoseiid mites. Both eggs and nymphs are preyed upon by mirid bugs. Nymphs and adults are eaten by general predators, particularly spiders and coccinellid beetles

Chemical Control for Brown Plant Hopper :

 Avoid use of insecticides causing resurgence such as synthetic pyrethroids, methyl parathuion, fenthion and quinalphos.

Spray anyone of the following insecticides for the control of brown Plant Hopper in Paddy crop-

Product	Technical Name	Type	Stages	Dosage	Method of Application
BPH Super +	dinotefuran 15 + pymetrozine 45 wg	Chemical Insecticide	Nymph Emergence Stage, Early Hopperburn Stage	133.2 gm/acre	Foilar Spray
BPH Super	Pymetrozine 50 % wg	Chemical Insecticide	3 stages of application based on pest observe	120-150 grams per acre	Foliar Spray
Thioxam	Thiamethoxam 25 % wg	Chemical Insecticide	first one at 30 - 35 DAT and a second one 7-10 days later at 40 - 45 DAT	Apply 200 g/ha	Foliar Spray
Imida	Imidacloprid 30.5 % sc	Chemical Insecticide	If pest observed	Apply 50 to 75 ml per acre	Foliar Spray
FANTASY	Fipronil 5 % SC	Chemical Insecticide	Nymph stage, Early adult stage	400-500 ml per Acre	Foliar Spray

FAQs related to Brown Plant Hopper in Paddy crop

Q. What are the signs of a brown plant hopper infestation in paddy fields?

A. Leaves may turn yellow and show signs of wilting or drying out. Severe infestations cause "hopper burn," where plants die and turn brown, leaving barren patches.

Q. How does the brown plant hopper affect rice crops?

A. BPHs feed on plant sap, weakening the plant, causing yellowing, and reducing overall yield.

Q. How do you control Brown plant Hopper in Paddy crop?

A. Judicious use of fertilizer preferably Katyayani BPH super or BPH super +