Fall armyworm

Spodoptera frugiperda Crops: Maize Why is it a problem? The fall armyworm (FAW) is a polyphagous pest that damages more than 350 plant species belonging to 76 plant families (Montezano et al., 2018). The higher damage is found in maize and sorghum, which are their primary hosts (Casmuz & Juárez, …

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Weeds in maize

Why is it a problem? Maize is the second most important cereal crop in Bhutan. Weeds in maize are a serious constraint to increased production and accounts for about 50% of the input costs. Maize is often inter-cropped with other crops, making weed management more difficult; whether hand weeding or …

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Wild boars

Sus scrofa Crops: All crops, but especially maize, rice and potato Why is it a problem? Wild boar are the main vertebrate pests of agricultural crops in Bhutan. Crop losses due to wild boar are one of the main constraints to alleviating poverty and increasing food security in the country. …

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Rice Ear-Cutting Caterpillar/ Oriental armyworm

Pseudaletia separata (or Mythimna separata)        Crops: Rice, maize, wheat and buckwheat Why is it a problem? Armyworms can cause heavy losses to rice nurseries, with caterpillars destroying seedlings. They also attack rice and maize fields and, to a lesser extent, barley and bitter buckwheat. Although not quantified in Bhutan, considerable …

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Turcicum leaf blight (TLB)

Exserohilum turcicum Crop: Maize Why is it a problem? This was the most important disease of maize, causing significant yield losses. However, the release of tolerant varieties means that it is now relatively easily managed. Where and when is it a problem?  Turicum leaf blight is most prevalent between 1200 …

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Gray leaf spot (GLS)

Cercospora zeae-maydis Crop: Maize Why is it a problem? First detected in Bhutan in 2006, this disease quickly became the most serious threat to maize production. A major research and development program successfully resulted in the release of GLS tolerant maize varieties. This disease can now be managed relatively easily. …

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Common cutworm

Agrotis segetum Crop: Chilli, Cole crops, tomato, maize, radish Why is it a problem? Larvae of the common cutworm live in the soil and cut seedlings of various crops. It is most important in chili, causing poor plant stands that require replanting. Seedling losses in Cole crops are also occasionally …

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Chilli pod-borer

Helicoverpa armigera Crop: chili, tomato, chickpeas, and maize Why is it a problem?  Caterpillars can attack a wide range of crops. In Bhutan, they cause the greatest damage to chili and tomato. Chilli damage is internal, mostly to the seed, so the main effects are aesthetic and the loss of …

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Maize

Maize is a primary food crop in Bhutan after rice, and it ranks first among food crops in terms of both extent of area cultivated and total production. It plays a critical role in household food security. It is estimated that 80% (of 353 million nu annually in 2006) of …

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