Evaluation of integrated use of seed dressing, dust and foliar chemical insecticides against termite (Microtermes spp.) on upland rice at Metema district, North Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Rice is among the important cereal crops grown in different parts of Ethiopia as food crop. Among different types of rice, upland rice is mostly at risk from soil insect pests, including termites which cause significant yield losses through attacking all portions of the rice plant. The experiment was conducted at Gendewuha Research Station in Metema district since 2011/12 main cropping season to determine the efficacy of integrated use of seed dressing, dust and foliar chemical insecticides against termite. Six treatments such as Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemical insecticides, Apron Star 42 WS plus Ethiosulfan 5 % dust insecticide, Apron Star 42 WS plus Diazinon 60% EC foliar insecticides, Ethiosulfan 5 % dust, Diazinon 60% EC and Control were used and arranged by using RCBD with three replications. All data were analyzed by using SAS computer software. Plots sown with seeds treated with Apron Star plus Ethiosulfan (676.67) showed least significant differences as compared with Plots sown with seeds treated with Apron Star plus Diazinon (646.67) and seeds treated with only Apron Star (595.00). Whereas, there were high significant differences (P<0.01) as compared to plots treated with Ethiosulfan (533.33), plots sprayed with Diazinon (515.00) and control (33167) in the case of stand counting at harvesting. Least significant difference was observed between plots sown with seeds treated with Apron Star plus Ethiosulfan (100.13cm), Plots sown with seeds treated with Apron Star plus Diazinon (95.40cm) and plots sown with only Apron Star (87.13cm) on plant height recorded at harvesting. However, high significant differences (P<0.01) observed as compared to Ethiosulfan (81.86cm), Diazinon (77.20cm) and control (66.06cm). No significant difference was observed in Plots sown with seeds treated with Apron Star plus Ethiosulfan as compared to Plots sown with seeds treated with Apron Star plus Diazinon (646.67) and sown with only Apron Star with least mean number of damaged plants of 45, 60 and 71.67per plot respectively. However, significant number of damaged plants due to termite was recorded from plots treated with Ethiosulfan (98.33) and plots sprayed with Diazinon (108.33). The highest number of damaged plants was recorded from control (226.67). There was significant difference between treatments on yield. The highest yield was obtained from Plots sown with seeds treated with Apron Star plus Ethiosulfan (6.20 kg) and Apron Star plus Diazinon (6.01kg) followed by sole Apron Star (4.50kg) and Ethiosulfan (3.00kg). The lower yield was obtained from plots sprayed with Diazinone foliar insecticide (2.03kg) and control (1.08kg). Apron Star seed dressing insecticide plus applying Ethiosulfan dust insecticide at sowing time or one times Diazinon foliar insecticide 15 days after seedlings emerged have shown highest efficacy in controlling termite through reducing the population and damages via increasing yields. Sole application of Apron Star seed dressing insecticide has also showed promising results against termites.