Management of yellow stem borer in a paddy ecosystem using SPLAT mating disruption techniques

This experiment used powder, wax, and talc-based pheromone lures to interrupt yellow stem borer ( Scirpophaga incertulas ) mating in the rice environment. Although the powder formulation was just as successful as the SPLAT (wax) formulation in reducing pests, it required the use of bamboo sticks and plastic wires, which were inconvenient for farmers. In flooded situations, maintaining appropriate positioning of bamboo poles and wire necessitates continual observation. Another formulation tested was talc formulations, which were only effective for a short period and with repeated use, adding to the cost of crop protection. Finally, wax-based SPLAT formulations were best as they lasted throughout the season, were easy to apply, and required no supervision. In this study, SPLAT-YSB (yellow stem borer) at 10 g per hectare with 1000 source points was found to be the most appropriate dose, which evenly saturated the field and helped effectively to control the yellow stem borer. Studies on the dissipation of SPLAT-YSB pheromone have shown the formulations to be slow-release and persistently long-lasting, which has been found to be sufficient to contain the pest threat through the end of harvest. Once SPLAT-YSB is applied, it can disrupt male yellow stem borer moths, thereby affecting their mating behavior throughout the harvest cycle. Therefore, SPLAT-YSB can be safely used to deal with the devastating yellow stem borer problem.