Nghe An: Nearly 4,000 hectares of rice infected with leaf blast disease

(Baonghean.vn) - Leaf blast disease has broken out and caused widespread damage. The whole province currently has over 3,877 hectares infected, which can easily lead to neck blast disease, seriously affecting rice productivity.

In Quynh Luu, rice blast disease has occurred in 10 communes and towns of the district on an area of ​​nearly 18 hectares, mainly on varieties TBR225, Thien Uu 8, AC5, Q5, Nep 97, Thai Xuyen 111... Of which, 2.65 hectares are moderately infected, 1.15 hectares are severely infected and there are pockets of blight affecting rice growth.

The district expects about 300 hectares of rice to ripen before April 10. However, according to forecasts, the weather in April will continue to be complicated, with fog in the early morning and sunny in the afternoon, creating favorable conditions for rice blast and bacterial leaf blight to develop and cause damage.

Or in Vinh City, the rice area is not large but there are 20.3 hectares of rice infected with disease on the ear of the flag leaf, the disease rate is common from 5-7%, high in places 20-25%, locally 70-80%.

According to forecasts from experts, the coming time is the time of changing seasons, so the weather is unpredictable. During the rice flowering period, there may be prolonged rain and high humidity, which is favorable for diseases to arise and cause damage, especially on varieties with high levels of infection such as Huong Uu 98, AC 5, IR 1820, Xi, Thien Uu 8... Therefore, rice areas in this period need to closely monitor weather developments to spray promptly.

Rice blast spots. Photo: Phu Huong

To proactively limit damage caused by the disease, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection recommends that people spray pesticides twice before and after rice flowering, paying special attention to areas infected with leaf blast disease in humus-rich soil, dense, dark green rice. When spraying pesticides, ensure the amount of water is 24 liters/sao, spray in the evening or early morning to avoid the time when the rice is drying.

In case of dry and hot weather during rice flowering, it is not necessary to organize prevention of neck blast disease.

At the same time, farmers need to regularly visit the fields. If bacterial leaf blight is detected, keep the water level at 3-5 cm, and absolutely do not apply chemical fertilizers, foliar fertilizers, and growth stimulants. Thereby, ensuring the productivity and output of the main rice crop of the year.

Farmers in Quynh Dien spray pesticides on infected areas. Photo: Hong Dien

Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc, Head of the provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, said: "In addition to closely following and directing the timely detection and prevention of leaf blast disease and soon neck blast disease, functional agencies are also closely coordinating with localities to inspect business activities and the use of plant protection drugs in the area."

Phu Huong -Red Face