4 fundamental solutions to control armyworm outbreak on scallions in the 'vegetable barn' of Nghe An

Farmers in the coastal area of ​​Quynh Luu have recently applied the solution of using nets to catch worms on onion fields infected with worms. Photo: Viet Hung

Never before has the armyworm epidemic spread so widely on the onion fields in the coastal areas of Quynh Luu district as it has this year. After many months of efforts by specialized agencies and farmers, the armyworm epidemic on onion fields has not been prevented.

Mr. Thai Ba Hoan's family in Hoc Van village, Quynh Bang commune planted 6 sao of green onions in this summer-autumn crop. In early July 2021, a large number of pests and diseases damaged the entire area of ​​green onions in the family. According to Mr. Hoan, there has never been a year when pests and diseases damaged green onions on such a large area as this year. Although the family has used chemicals and biological pesticides to spray, they are still ineffective, and the pests and diseases still grow.
“All 6 sao of onions were damaged by pests, each sao of which the family had previously invested 3-4 million VND/sao. This crop caused the family to lose tens of millions of VND in investment, and also lost the income from onions,” said Mr. Hoan.

This type of armyworm and green worm lives in onion leaf tubes, so it is very difficult to prevent. Any area of ​​onion that is infected will have dry leaves. Photo: Xuan Hoang

In this year's summer-autumn crop, the coastal communes of Quynh Luu have structured 90% of their total area to be planted with trees.green onions, equivalent to about 600 hectares. Due to the damage caused by green worms and armyworms, hundreds of hectares of onion area have been damaged and are difficult to recover.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tue - Chairman of Quynh Luong Commune People's Committee said: "Recently, the experiment of placing some bait traps to kill pests on green onions has shown signs of decreasing, however, in the long term, a more suitable solution is needed. Currently, the locality still has about 50 hectares of growing area. The commune propagates people to focus on caring for and protecting green onions from pests and diseases; at the same time, it recommends people to switch to some other vegetable crops for cultivation.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Hung - Director of the District Agricultural Service CenterQuynh LuuIt is believed that previously, on the onion area of ​​the beach, armyworms and green worms appeared, but the rate was small, so they could be prevented. This year, this type of worm has developed into an epidemic for the first time, so the work of pest control by traps and baits has not been effective.

Currently, in the coastal area of ​​Quynh Luu, there are still 345 hectares of green onions heavily infected with pests. Photo: Viet Hung

In the long term, farmers need to apply four fundamental solutions, which are: First, crop rotation. Farmers have been planting onions continuously for many months, causing this type of worm to develop rapidly and simultaneously.

Second, for a long time, people have left onion seeds in the fields for reproduction. This could be a source of pests and diseases transmitted from parent plants, so a new source of disease-free seeds is needed.

Third, it is necessary to treat pathogens in the soil by using lime powder sprinkled in the soil.

Fourth, pests can spread from other areas, such as bushes. Therefore, farmers need to clear bushes in the field area; at the same time, clean up the field banks to eradicate them.pathogensstay there

Professional agencies use traps to catch worms, but in the long term, more effective solutions need to be applied to prevent worms from becoming an epidemic like the current one. Photo: Viet Hung

"Currently, in Quynh Luu district, there are about 345 hectares of green onions, most of which are severely infected with pests. This type of worm usually lives in the onion leaf tube, making it difficult to prevent and control the worm. Infected areas often have all the leaves dried up," said Mr. Nguyen Anh Hung./.