Nghe An: Warning about pink mealybugs that harm cassava

(Baonghean.vn) - Pink mealybugis a parasitic animal that damages cassava plants, has the ability to spread very quickly, and has now appeared in many cassava growing areas in Thanh Chuong district.

According to the synthesis of the Plant Cultivation and Plant Protection Station of Thanh Chuong district, by July 4, on the cassava area in Thanh My, Thanh Khe, Thanh Lam, Thanh Ngoc, and Thi Tran communes, pink mealybugs have appeared and are causing damage at an average rate of 2-3%, in high places: 5-10%, concentrated in the cassava garden area on hills adjacent to bushes and places where cassava seeds were once left.

Officers of the District Plant Protection Station are working with local people to check for aphids in Mr. Trinh Van Mao's cassava garden, block 13, Thanh Chuong town.

Aphids have caused damage in many crops, so Thanh Chuong district has warned and instructed people to take many synchronous measures when planting new crops such as: Preparing the land, clearing weeds and cassava roots after harvest to avoid pink mealybugs remaining in cassava fields, preparing clean cuttings, treating cuttings before planting...

Faced with the current situation of aphids causing damage in the middle of the season, Thanh Chuong Plant Protection Station recommends that cassava growers collect all old cassava residues in the aphid-infected area, and break off cassava shoots in the field that are being damaged by aphids to destroy them. The destruction point should be at least 30 meters away from the uninfected cassava area.

Cassava mealybug.

Spray insecticide on the entire infected cassava area after collecting the tops to kill the remaining pink mealybugs on the plants and on the field surface using chemicals such as: Victory 585EC, Sutin 50SC, Oshin 20WP, Chess 50WG...

To increase the adhesion of the drug, add a little dishwashing liquid and soapy water and mix well. When spraying, ensure that enough water is applied to cover the entire leaf surface. Continue to monitor the appearance of aphids. If re-infection occurs, spray again.

The most effective way to prevent aphids is to collect and burn diseased cassava. Photo: People in Thanh Lam commune (Thanh Chuong) carry out aphid treatment.

With about 2,500 hectares of cassava, Thanh Chuong district has issued an official dispatch requesting communes to focus on counting the infected area and actively eradicate pink mealybugs to protect cassava. Localities growing cassava need to regularly visit the fields, detect and handle the disease promptly to protect the planted cassava area to ensure the source of raw materials for the factory before a new crop year begins.

Mr. Le Dinh Thanh - Vice Chairman of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee said: This is not the first time that the pink mealybug epidemic has occurred in the district. Therefore, the district has a lot of experience. In the face of the epidemic, the district is directing the agricultural sector and localities to count the area, demarcate the area and spray with specific pesticides. If it is not effective, it must be collected and destroyed as has been done before. Pink mealybug is a dangerous disease that spreads quickly, directly affecting cassava productivity, so it must be prevented immediately, not subjective or negligent.

Ha Temple

Thanh Chuong Radio