and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

THE STATUS OF PEST RESISTANCE TO
INSECTICIDES IN INDONESIA
D. Soekarna and D. Kilin
Bogor Research Institute for Food Crops (BORIF)
Jalan Merdeka 99, Bogor, Indonesia
Rice is the main food crop in Indonesia and has been grown for centuries.
More than 70 species of insect pests are recorded on rice in Indonesia, among
which 20 species such as plant and leaf hoppers, stemborers, leaffolders, and gall
midge are major pests often causing significant economic losses. There are also
minor pests on rice, and these cannot be ignored as they may become major
pests whenever the conditions are suitable (Suhardjan & hIan 1974).
The brown planthopper (BPI-I) Nilaparvata lugens Stal, previously
con j.1ered a minor pest, has become a major threat to rice production since
1970, especially in the main rice growing areas of Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi.
Although it is difficult to determine the losses due solely to insect pests
precisely, field observations and experiments have shown that proper application
of insecticides can reduce damage and yield loss (Dandi 1974).
Cabbage is a crucifcrous crop facing potentially serious insect problems.
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. and Crocidolomiabinotalisare
two major pests reducing production in terms of yield and quality. Heavy
infrestat;ons of diamondback moth in the dry season cause up to 100% yield loss
if no insecticides are used (Sudarwohadi 1975), whilc in the wet season the yield
loss is 30% (Sudarwohadi and Eveleens 1977).
INSECTICIDAL CONTROL
Various control measures have been adopted in order to overcome insect pest
problems. The IPM concept was initiated in 1974 and improved from year to
year. Ma, tools which are widely practiced by farmers for controlling brown
planthoppets are the use of resistant varieties, cultural practices and insecticides.
The introduction of resistant varieties has led to the development of BPH
biot) pes in Indonesia. The use of insecticides has also increased simultaneously
with the increase of BPI-I infestation and tcal area planted. Among the
insecticides distributed, diazinon and carbaryl have been used for the longest time
in Indonesia for general rice pest control including BPH. Since the early years,
many other compounds including granular formulations have been introduced.
Whenever a sudden outbreak of BPH occurs, aerial spraying with an ULV
formulation is often done to cope with large areas affected and to obtain quick
control.
The extensive use of insecticides in horticulture, particularly on cabbage,
was done earlier than on rice. It started with arsenicum, pyrethrum, and derris in
the 1930s and was followed by DDT in the 1940s and Toxaphene in subsequent
years (Ankcrsmit 1953).