Project Overview
Use of Varietal Plant Resistance for Management of the Invasive Rice Delphacid
Commodities
- Agronomic: rice
- Animals: other
Target Pests
- Target Pests: insects
Practices
- Pest Management: host resistance
- Production Systems: agroecosystems
- Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures
Proposal abstract:
The invasive rice delphacid (RD), Tagosodes orizicolus, has emerged as a significant threat to rice farming in Texas, causing direct damage through feeding, leading to “hopper burn” and potential yield losses. The pest, native to Central and South America, also poses an indirect threat by transmitting the devastating Rice Hoja Blanca Virus (RHBV). The economic impact on rice growers has been substantial, with documented crop losses of up to 20% in 2015 and over 50% in 2022. Current pest management strategies, including insecticides, have shown limited effectiveness, and the lack of data on RD presence in Texas is a critical gap. The quick spread of RD demands an urgent attention to safeguard the economic viability of Texas rice industry and elsewhere. The project proposes focusing on research and collaboration with stakeholders. First, a state-wide survey will be conducted in the Texas Rice Belt to understand the occurrence and distribution of RD. Simultaneously, host plant resistance will be investigated through preliminary variety selection assays to identify rice varieties resistant to RD. The project aims to reduce reliance on chemical insecticides and promote sustainable pest management strategies. Educational materials, including fact sheet and videos, will be developed and distributed to increase awareness among rice growers and extension agents about RD identification and management. Additionally, real-time alerts on RD population occurrence will be provided throughout the growing season to empower growers with timely information for decision-making. The project also plans to conduct a Southern IPM webinar to share knowledge and best practices with stakeholders, fostering collaboration for effective RD management.
The anticipated impact of this project is multifold. In the short term, the state-wide survey will lead to an increased understanding of RD occurrence and distribution, enabling timely detection of RD in the 2025 growing season. Identification of RD-resistant rice varieties will provide immediate benefits by offering a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides. Educational materials will contribute to increased knowledge and awareness among rice growers and extension agents and other clientele, promoting better pest management practices and reducing crop damage. Real-time alerts on RD population distribution will empower growers with timely information, enhancing their capacity to anticipate and manage the pest effectively. The Southern IPM webinar aims to bridge the knowledge gap among stakeholders, fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practices for RD management. In the long term, the project envisions to collaborate with researchers nationally and internationally to develop a sustainable and environmentally sound Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for RD, protecting the rice industry globally.
Project objectives from proposal:
| Planned Outputs
What you plan on doing or making |
Anticipated Outcomes
What change are expected to occur as an effect |
Problem or Priority Targeted
What situation you are addressing |
| Research | ||
| 1. Conduct a visual scouting (survey) to document the distribution of RD population densities throughout the rice growing season of the Texas Rice Belt. | Short-term: provide real-time data on RD densities affecting grower’s fields and when to start scouting for this pest.
Medium-term: generate historical data on occurrence and distribution for this pest in Texas. Long-term: increase grower’s knowledge of this pest while aiming the implementation of an IPM program. In addition, expand the survey by collaborating with researchers from other rice growing states like AR, FL, LA, MS. |
Limited information on the phenology of this pest for rice growers, besides the general information as a ratooned rice pest. |
| 2. Establishment of a RD colony at Texas A&M AgriLife Beaumont Research Center and conduct greenhouse experiments to determine cultivar preference to RD | Short-term: establishment of the RD colony and provide growers with data on the preferences on rice variety susceptibility.
Medium-term: maintaining the RD colony for future research (targeting a future project) and informing scouting priorities to target the most susceptible cultivars in rice fields. Long-term: sharing this information might bring future breeding efforts to incorporate any tolerance to RD into new cultivars. The final goal is todevelop a successful IPM program for RD. |
There is not a sustainable IPM program for RD, other than the use of foliar insecticides, in the U.S. for rice. It is still unknown the relationships between commercial rice cultivars and levels of infestation for RD. |
| Extension | ||
| 3. Development of fact sheet on RD phenology and educational video on how to use the ‘sweep method’ to scout for RD adults/nymphs
including a Southern IPM webinar on RD management. |
Short-term: increasing access and knowledge of rice growers to existing, but limited, information on RD. The video will show rice growers detailed steps for RD monitoring and identification. Also, sharing knowledge and information directly via webinar to stakeholders with the help of Southern IPM management center.
Medium-term: growers will learn about how to scout for this pest, as well as its geographic distribution, and other control tactics to reduce RD densities. The presence of this video will influence more growers to scout for this pest. Long-term: changing the grower perception of RD, resulting in improved strategies for RD management. The video as part of the Texas AgriLife Research/Extension archives will allow more rice growers throughout the state and region to have permanent access to RD information on scouting procedure for this pest. |
The lack of understanding regarding RD biology and phenology impacting management strategies for this pest.
Also, lack of knowledge for the ‘sweep method’ as an effective procedure to monitor RD adults/nymphs. The webinar aims to fill the knowledge gap about RD in the southern region and beyond |
