Author
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Rice, William |
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CHOO, H - LSU RRS |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Rice is unique among the world's major food crops by virtue of the extent and variety of its uses and adaptability to a broad range of climatic, edaphic, and cultural conditions. It provides 20 percent of the per capita energy and 15 percent of the per capita protein for humans worldwide. Annual world rice production is approximately 460 million tons grown on more than 145 million ha. Over 90 percent of this area lies in Asia, while the remainder is divided among Latin America, Africa, Australia, Europe, and the USA. Rice production should be increased to supply a rapidly expanding population; however, it has been hindered by a number of diseases and insect pests. Moreover, rapid changes in rice production technologies have created greater frequencies of pest epidemics. More than 70 species of insect pests are known to feed on rice, and at least 20 of them can seriously affect rice production. They attack all parts of the rice plant at all growth stages and some serve as vectors of viruses that adversely affect the plant. Control of insect pests has primarily depended on the application of chemical insecticides, but because of the many disadvantages of chemicals, alternative biological control approaches are needed. In the rice agroecosystems, many types of entomopathogens may suppress insect pests. In this chapter, we detail techniques on the use and evaluation of entomopathogens for the potential control of a few key insect pests of rice. |
