Effect of silicon application on population of green leaf hopper, Nephotettix virescens (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Rice

Abstract

The green leaf hopper, Nephotettix virescens (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is one of the major pests of rice in India. An experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Derol, Dist. Panchmahal, Gujarat, India during kharif (rainy) season in 2011 and 2012 to know the effect of soil and foliar application of silicon on the population of green leaf hopper, N. virescens in rice. Four doses of calcium silicate (500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 kg/ha) applied as soil application and three concentrations of potassium silicate (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 per cent) applied as foliar sprays were evaluated along with control. All four doses of calcium silicate recorded significantly lower population of green leaf hopper, N. virescens, as compared to control, during both the years of study. The highest dose of calcium silicate i.e. 2000 kg/ha recorded significantly lowest the population of green leaf hopper, N. virescens and it differed significantly from the rest of the treatments.