The challenge of african rice gall midge to rice production in the omasi rice ecosystem anambra state Nigeria

Abstract

The challenge of the African Rice Gall Midge to rice production in the Omasi Rice Ecosystem was the interest of the researchers. Study was made of the reproductive life cycle and ecology of the midge. The conditions and practices that favour its survival and spread were noted. Experimental upland and irrigated rice plots were mono-cropped continuously for five years. Different pest control measures were adopted in an Integrated Pest Management fashion. The upland experimental farms gave improved paddy yield: 3.5-5.4 ton/ha in comparison to the 1-2.5 ton/ha prevalent in the ecosystem’s farmers’ upland plots. The irrigated experimental plots equally yielded 4.9-6.3 ton/ha of rice paddy. The farmers’ prevalent yield for the irrigated plots was at an average of 3.5 ton/ha. The experiment further established that good upland rice yield is possible from the Omasi Rice Ecosystem if modern and scientific methods are adopted for cropping rice in the region.