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 …
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. …
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, …
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 …
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. …
Agrotis segetum Crop: Chilli, Cole crops, tomato, maize Why is it a problem? Larvae of the common cutworm live in the soil and cut seedlings of a range of crops. It is most important in chilli, causing poor plant stands that require replanting. Seedling losses in Cole crops are also …
Helicoverpa armigera Crop: Chilli, chickpeas, maize and tomato Why is it a problem? Caterpillars can attack a wide range of crops. In Bhutan they cause greatest damage to chillis. Chilli damage is internal, mostly to the seed, so the main affect is aesthetic and the loss of hot seeds. Whole crops …
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 …
