Mixed application of pesticides to control wheat diseases and pests
Pediococcus acidolactici Biodep Biotechnology Co. ,Ltd. , https://www.biodep.com
In our province, there are numerous wheat pests and diseases, including underground pests, powdery mildew, wheat aphids, midge worms, wheat bunt, and weeds. As crop yields have increased, the number of pests and diseases affecting wheat has also risen significantly. This has made the task of pest and disease control more challenging than ever before. Farmers now face higher costs, more frequent pesticide applications, and greater workload. In the past two years, based on lessons learned from the "three-in-one" pesticide application method, our province has conducted trials and demonstrations in the Guanzhong region to apply compound pesticides for controlling wheat pests and weeds.
First, the demonstration effect of mixed pesticide application. During the ear stage, the control effectiveness against wheat head blight was approximately 60%, powdery mildew over 90%, and panicle blast around 90%. Using a combination of pesticides reduced the number of applications by 1-2 times compared to traditional methods, saving about 5 yuan per mu. This approach also helped reduce the blind use of chemicals and minimized unnecessary medication. Early application of pesticides protected natural enemies and lowered residue levels in wheat. Combining pesticides with fertilizers allowed for integrated treatment of both pests and diseases, enhancing the control of stripe rust and head blight, while maintaining an "aggressive prevention" strategy that improved yield and disease resistance.
According to data from 2005, in Shaanxi Province, where wheat smut and stripe rust were severe, spraying dimethoate, triadimefon, and monopotassium phosphate in Xingping County achieved a 90% control rate on locusts, 94% on stripe rust, and increased grain weight by 9.95 grams per plant. This led to recovery of 101.65 kg per mu. In Liquan County, 265,000 mu were treated, achieving over 95% control of wheat bunt and 94.5% control of stripe rust. The demonstration fields showed strong, healthy plants with full grains and increased yield of more than 20 kg per mu. In Baoji County, 8.94 million mu were treated, with an average yield of 96.3 kg per mu, totaling 365,200 kg of wheat. In Weiyang District, a 1,000-mu demonstration area saw an average control efficiency of 85.02% for stripe rust, 82.0% for powdery mildew, and 86.7% for wheat ear blight. Compared to non-treated fields, which suffered heavy losses due to disease, the demonstration fields had a bright, golden appearance and significantly higher productivity.
Over the two years from 2004 to 2006, the province demonstrated and controlled a total of 5 million mu, recovering 300 million kilograms of wheat. Each mu used 2 types of insecticides, bactericides, and growth regulators, with a total of 10 million laborers involved in the effort.
Second, the main technology of mixed pesticide application:
1. Seed dressing with a mixture. Sowing is the key time to control underground pests and early-stage diseases such as wheat aphids, seedling blight, and powdery mildew. In areas where multiple pests and diseases coexist, mixing insecticides (like phoxim) with fungicides (such as triadimefon and carbendazim) during sowing can effectively reduce damage and achieve comprehensive pest control.
2. Pest and disease control during the jointing stage. Spring wheat's jointing period is when pests and weeds are most active. Main targets include weeds like SVW and leeks, as well as powdery mildew. Fungicides like triadimefon and thiophanate-methyl, along with herbicides, can be used for effective control.
3. Disease prevention at the ear stage. Controlling pests during this critical growth phase helps improve grain filling and increase yield. At this stage, the main targets are wheat aphids, powdery mildew, rust, scab, and midges. In Liquan County, 20 grams of dimethoate and 7.5 grams of triadimefon proved highly effective, with an anti-microbial effect of 77–100% on wheat flour. The average control rate for rust was 85.17%, and for powdery mildew, 84.7%.
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