Pests, diseases infect up to half of northwest China's wheat crop

About 30 to 50 percent of the wheat crop, or 187,000 hectares, in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region have been infected by pests and diseases, the regional agriculture department revealed Tuesday (May 26).

 

The acreage affected by pests, mainly aphids, and diseases like powdery mildew disease accounted for 87.5 percent of the wheat cultivation area, according to Lai Weili, director of the department's Crop Farming Bureau. He warned that the summer harvest would be harmed if the situation is not effectively controlled

 

Lai said aphids had been found on 30 percent of the plants and powdery mildew disease, one of the most dangerous wheat diseases, had already affected more than 92,000 hectares, with the average diseased-plant rate reaching 46.5 percent.

 

The mildew will first affect the surface of the plant. If it is swiftly treated with chemical sprays, the crop can still be harvested, Lai added.

 

Lai said this year's pest and disease outbreak was the most serious in recent years, which has been brought about by the spring drought and rising temperatures.

 

According to the China Meteorological Administration, the average temperatures in Ningxia in March and April were 5 to 6 degrees higher than average for the time of year.

 

The regional government on Monday (May 25) issued an emergency order to local authorities, requiring them to monitor the situation closely and inform farmers of the development of the pest control measures.

 

Meanwhile, the government has also intensified checks to ensure no fake pesticides are being used.