A novel rectangular hand net (RHN) was developed to manage insect pests in rice seedbeds, overcoming the limitations of traditional round nets, which can damage seedlings and are less effective in catching insects. The RHN features a 50 cm by 20 cm rectangular frame made of 4 mm GI wire, with a 100 cm plastic pipe handle and an 80 cm mosquito net. The net is used by walking rapidly around the seedbed, sweeping to catch harmful insects while releasing beneficial ones back into the field.
Experiments conducted during the 2021-22 Boro rice season at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) showed that the RHN performed significantly better than the round hand net, capturing 48.33 pests compared to the round net's 26.67. The RHN caught 80.39% harmful insects and 19.60% beneficial insects. During the Aus 2022 season, the RHN captured 87.78% insect pests and 12.22% natural enemies, while in the Aman season, it captured 71.18% pests and 28.82% natural enemies.
The RHN helps conserve beneficial insects, including predators, parasitoids, and their eggs, nymphs, and adults, which are vital for controlling pests in the main rice field. This technology has eliminated the need for insecticides, promoting sustainable pest control without chemical sprays. The materials to make the RHN are inexpensive and widely available, allowing farmers to construct the net locally. As a result, this approach reduces rice production costs and allows farmers and their families to operate the net easily. The RHN provides a sustainable alternative to insecticide use in rice farming, contributing to better environmental and economic outcomes.
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