According to Mr. Hoang Trung, Director of the Plant Protection Department, the use of drones in pesticide spraying has many advantages compared to traditional methods. Currently, many countries such as China, Japan, Korea … have also applied this technology, especially the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is also interested in and testing this technology in some countries. Africa to control the desert locust epidemic. In recent years, the use of flying equipment in pesticide spraying in our country has become more and more popular. However, there are still many issues that need to be studied when using this device. Photo: TL. With the initiative in the past time, businesses have gone through many channels, imported drones with diverse configurations and capacities … showing the ability to apply this new technology solution quite effectively in pest control. on plants. Later, the drone can also be applied to sowing seeds in the Mekong Delta provinces or to apply foliar fertilizers … In addition to the benefits such as user safety, large capacity, time-saving …, this device also has some issues to be clarified. Accordingly, it is necessary to have a scientific basis, to guide effectively and strictly according to the provisions of law. Currently, there are no official results to confirm that using drones in pesticide spraying helps reduce the amount of pesticides. In the FAO guidelines for use, the drone is still just a tool that must use pesticides in accordance with the dosage stated on the label. In addition, there is the current situation, many places have overstated information and advertising that any crop, any form of medicine can use drones. This is information that has absolutely no scientific basis. The Plant Protection Department recognizes the results from the initiative of enterprises and organizations in researching and applying scientific and technological achievements to production. However, to use it effectively, there is a scientific basis and in accordance with the law. Therefore, in the coming time, it is necessary to have more in-depth and comprehensive studies and evaluations on both the efficiency of use as well as the technical and economic efficiency of the drone. In particular, it is necessary to evaluate the safety level of using drones in pesticide spraying for other objects in the area of ​​use such as aquatic products, bees, etc. In addition, it is necessary to delve into techniques and find out the forms drugs, biological effects can be used appropriately and effectively with drones. Secondly, it is necessary to study plant objects suitable for the use of drones in pesticide spraying. For example, in areas where scattered trees and industrial crops are grown, the use of drones can be said to be ineffective, or as objects on the underside of leaves such as mosquito bugs, anthracnose, etc. Therefore, harmful organisms also need to be evaluated and classified to apply drones appropriately in spraying pesticides. For example, objects lying in the trunk, on the ground, weeds clinging to the base have almost no effect when using a drone. The Department of Plant Protection will also study to provide guidance on the form of drugs to be used with drones. From the perspective of a state management agency, the Department is responsible for clarifying this issue. The use of drones in the past time has been effective and has many advantages on rice, but there have been no scientific studies on other crops. Illustrative photos. Hoang Trung also said that the mechanism of action of the drugs also needs to be evaluated before being used with drones. In addition, it is necessary to evaluate the plant objects and harmful objects that can use drones in spraying effectively. On the other hand, it will be necessary to evaluate and classify according to the capacity and specifications of the drone corresponding to the appropriate crop objects. For example, a large-capacity drone can be suitable for spraying pesticides for rice or some crops, but cannot be used for vegetables because it will destroy the plants… From the above assessments, the goal of the Plant Protection Department is to work with businesses to come up with procedures and documentation for using drones across the country. In addition, the Department will also develop standards for testing pesticides used by drones. Many concerns about the limitations of drones At the meeting, some opinions suggested that there should be more specific and scientific studies in the application of drones in pesticide spraying. According to a representative of the Southern Pesticide Testing Center (Pesticide Department), in order to spray effectively, pesticides must be able to contact the objects that need to be protected or destroyed. However, the use of drones may have many limitations in pesticide spraying such as difficulty in contact with pests and diseases such as brown planthoppers, dry streaks below for rice or thick canopy trees… In addition, the use of drones will use less water than traditional also reduces the effectiveness of the drug. Another problem is that using a drone causes the particles to fall freely but slowly, so it is possible that some of the medicine will evaporate before reaching the leaves. Using a drone with a more concentrated drug concentration than traditional spraying can also cause acute poisoning of plants. In addition, the use of drones will cause waste of pesticides, affecting the ecological environment if used for scattered crops. The Center for Plant Protection in the South (Department of Plant Protection) said that the application of drones in the Mekong Delta is increasingly popular on rice and some fruit trees. Many farmers rate drones as highly effective against pests located at the top of the foliage. The use of drones in pesticide spraying still has many limitations that need to be studied. Photo: TL. However, with trees with uneven heights in the same area such as coconuts, the ability to contact leaves is not optimal because the drone can only fly at a certain stable height that cannot be continuously changed. The height is suitable for each height of the crop, leading to the not equally optimal distance of pesticides to the top of the tree. The Northern Center for Plant Protection also said that it is necessary to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drones and devise ways to use each drug. In addition, there is a need to have scientific assessments of the effects on the environment and plants when using drones to spray pesticides with high concentrations (due to less water). Because normally, the amount of water when spraying pesticides is 400-500 l/ha, while using a drone it is only about 15 l/ha. Mr. Nguyen Quy Duong, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department suggested that in the coming time, there should be more assessments on the process and effectiveness of using drones for intercropping areas. According to Mr. Duong, in the Mekong Delta, people now use pre-germination herbicides and except yellow apple snails at the same time, so there is a need for studies on the possibility of using mixed drugs when spraying with drones. In addition, it is necessary to have a baseline standard for testing devices and forms of medicine to come here, it is necessary to clearly state on the drug label the dose used (amount of water) when used with a drone. The Plant Protection Department said that based on the results of businesses and units that have applied drones over the past time, as well as international experience, the Plant Protection Department will develop a master plan to continue researching. Research and perfect both equipment and processes to use in a scientific, safe and most effective way for the application of drones in plant protection. In the immediate future, the Department of Plant Protection suggests that it is necessary to focus on researching and perfecting the drone application process for 5 groups of liquid drugs including EC, SC, SE, SL, ME; 4 groups of solid drugs including WP, SP, WG, GR. Regarding plants, focus on researching and perfecting the process of applying drones to rice (focusing on leaf rollers, brown planthoppers, rice blasts, powdery mildew, herbicides); fall and powdery mildew on corn; aphids, downy mildew on fruit trees (especially citrus, mango, litchi; industrial plants such as coffee, tea, and cashew; caterpillars on pine trees and silkworms on cruciferous vegetables).

Along Highway 14 to the inter-commune roads of Hon Quan district (Binh Phuoc) these days, we can easily see cashew orchards, mango, bare leaves because of beetles (people also call are beetles) harmful. Locals said, beetles appeared here nearly ten years. However, the previous years were not significant. Close-up of a beetle that damages plants in Binh Phuoc. Photo: TT. This year, for some reason they appear quite dense. Currently, people are very worried because the leaves of the plants have been eaten up, resulting in loss of photosynthesis, the plants are depleted, output has decreased, or even died, while not knowing how to effectively prevent and treat. Recognizing the fact that at some mango orchards in Dong No commune (Hon Quan district), drizzling weather for many days is a favorable environment for beetles to multiply and develop. In some orchards, there has been a phenomenon of beetles biting leaves, limb branches, and even many gardens leaving only young fruit hanging. Growers have bought pesticides to spray but have not been able to prevent the onslaught of beetles. Ms. Pham Thi Huyen Trang in Dong Tan hamlet, Dong No commune has 7 hectares of mangoes at harvest age, but in the past few days, beetles have caused nearly one third of the mango area to be destroyed and there is no sign. stop. With the method of spinning the lights, every day she catches tens of thousands of children. However, this method does not appear to be effective due to the large number of bugs. “Now the beetle has eaten all the young leaves of the mango tree. If not, in a few weeks, all the leaves of the mango tree will be eaten up. With this situation, mango trees will inevitably be depleted, the next year’s crop will decrease yield “, Ms. Trang worried. Similarly, nearly 1 hectare of mango and cashew of Nguyen Huu Cong’s family nearby were also gnawed clean by beetles. Mr. Cong said that when he discovered beetles, his family bought pesticides to spray, but only a few days later they reappeared. Many orchards were bitten by beetles, leaving only their branches. Photo: TT. “After more than a month of being eaten all the leaves, the trees are sprouting again, but the spreading bugs continue to attack. With this situation, surely the trees will be depleted, the next season’s yield will drop sharply, some trees. We hope the authorities will consider the reality and take measures to support farmers to prevent this insect “, Mr. Nguyen Huu Cong suggested. Not only harming plants, beetles also upset the daily life of people. Beetles are mainly active at night, only need to see the light that they come in, making people here not eat and sleep. Many households, in order to limit bugs from entering the house, people have to close their doors and turn on the power in the yard and then “entrench” in the house. Mrs. Ho Thi Dai from Hamlet 3, Dong No Commune, Hon Quan District shouted to heaven: “My house is next to the cashew garden, so it was affected a lot. Although the house was closed at night, beetles still entered through the places. When they fall onto the floor, bugs release a red substance that looks like thin blood. At night they crash into the roof of the roof, making a noise that causes sleeplessness. Need a radical solution Concerning this issue, Mr. Tran Hai Ha, Head of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hon Quan district, said that the unit has grasped that beetles attack and damage plants in the area. “There are many communes in the district that are attacked by this beetle. We are giving statisticians the area and extent of the damage of the households,” said Mr. Ha. Not only cashew trees, many mango orchards were also attacked by beetles, leaving only the fruit and branches. Photo: TT. According to Mr. Ha, 2 weeks ago, the district Department of Agriculture and Rural Development worked with the District Agricultural Service Center to give directions to deal with this problem. Mr. Ha said that these bugs are difficult to destroy, not as easy to spray as common insects. Currently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is waiting for the Center to come up with solutions to help people prevent this species of bugs. Regarding measures to control this beetle, Dr. Nguyen Van Bac, working at the Bu Dop District Agricultural Extension Center (Binh Phuoc), said: In the world there are 200 types of beetles, rarely seen for leaf-eating beetles. described in national documents. Most likely, this beetle belongs to the type of beetle that eats leaves of mango (Chafer beetles), scientifically known as Apogonia sp, belongs to the family Scarabaeidae, order Coleoptera. Harm mainly on trees of industrial trees and fruit trees such as palm, coconut, cashew, mango … According to documents, leaf-eating beetle eggs are laid in blocks, near the base, consisting of many eggs, each egg is wrapped in a hard layer of soil. Eggs are 1.0 – 1.3 mm long, white, bulging and round later. The incubation period is about 9 days. The newly hatched larvae are about 3 mm long and reach 15 mm before pupating about 10-11 weeks later. Lungs live in the soil, eating the roots of a variety of crops, weeds and decomposing organic matter. The larval stage is about 72 days long; pupae 2 – 3 days; pupae: 7 – 10 days; life cycle is about 3 months. At first time the city is brown, then it turns black. A beetle destroys things. Photo: TT. In the Southeast in general, Binh Phuoc in particular, bugs often outbreak and cause damage at the beginning of the rainy season (April – May). After dancing, bugs eat leaves, young branches of wild plants and plants. They mainly feed at night, and during the day they live hidden under the topsoil. For prevention and treatment, Dr. Nguyen Van Bac recommends that there are 3 methods: manual measures, which can use light traps at the same time in areas where many harmful beetles appear. Chemical measures, using active insecticides Permethrin, profennophos to spray in the evening. Biological measures, using bacillus thuringiensiss (Tricho-BT), Metarhizium anisopliae (green fungus) to spray on plants and in the soil to kill eggs and young offspring before becoming larvae. Currently, beetles continue to cause harm on many cultivated areas in Hon Quan district and are at risk of spreading to a large extent in neighboring areas. The most effective is the light trap The Department of Plant Protection said: Through working with the Agricultural Service Center of Binh Phuoc Province and the Agricultural Service Center of Hon Quan District (Binh Phuoc), it was known that this beetle appeared in recent years, usually arising from the beginning of the rainy season (April), extending to the middle or the end of May will decrease (actually, by May 10, 2021, it has decreased compared to the previous month). Many farmers in Binh Phuoc worry because beetles continue to damage crops and upset their daily lives. Photo: TT. Adult beetles are nocturnal, eat all kinds of leaves (cashew, mango, rubber …) and have a strong tendency to light. Therefore, the safest and most effective measure at present is to use light traps (high capacity will attract more power), underneath put a water basin with a layer of active petroleum scum, and beetles plunge into the falling lights. water pots, oil scum will seal the breathing holes on the two sides of the beetle stomach, causing rapid death. On May 10, 2021, the Plant Protection Department sent a mission led by Mr. Do Van Van, Director of the Southern Regional Plant Protection Center (under the Department of Plant Protection) to Binh Phuoc to understand the situation, take samples of beetles and send them. appraise to know scientific names, from which to grasp habits, biological characteristics, host plants to determine the most suitable and effective control measures. The Department of Plant Protection also confirmed that this beetle has appeared in Vietnam for a long time, not the main pest on crops in Vietnam. In recent times, a number of new species have arisen, such as the “black bean” beetle, the coffee beetle in Kon Tum, and the forest leaf-eating worm in the city. Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai … They are pests on forest trees, but when their numbers break out, they spread to harm crops or affect people’s lives, but not harm (such as “black beans”). Also according to the Department of Plant Protection, in 2018, a similar species of beetle also appeared harmful to coffee young leaves during the basic construction phase in Dac Ma commune, Dac Ha district, Kon Tum province, but with a smaller size. The result of identification is species Maladera castanea, family Scarabaeidae, order Coleoptera. The Central Center for Plant Protection (under the Department of Plant Protection) has cooperated with Kon Tum Plantation and Plant Protection Department to guide farmers to apply the method of attracting light traps to kill beetles and protect coffee trees in recent years. ..

Black-headed caterpillars cause 70-80% damage in the coconut orchard they appear. According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Agriculture and Rural Development) of Ben Tre province, since the discovery of the black-headed pest in July 2020 to the beginning of April 2021, the whole province of Ben Tre has more than 160 hectares of coconut orchards. black attack, in which the area heavily infected with burnt leaves was 51ha. This is the area where more than 40% of the leaf boats are damaged out of the total number of leaf boats surveyed based on the guidance of the Southern Plant Protection Center (Plant Protection Department). Currently, the blackhead worm continues to cause harm in districts of Binh Dai, Chau Thanh, Mo Cay Nam, Mo Cay Bac, Ben Tre City and Cho Lach. The largest outbreak was in Huu Dinh commune of Chau Thanh district with over 66ha of infected coconut orchards. Mr. Dang Thanh Hai, in Huu Nhon hamlet, Huu Dinh commune, has 2,000 square meters of coconut over 40 years old that are being attacked by blackhead worms, causing heavy damage. Mr. Hai said that because the coconut tree is 30-40m high, it is impossible to spray this insecticide, so he had to destroy it. “Coconuts grown for a long time, used to suffer many diseases but did not die, now the black-headed worm eats them, causing mass death of coconuts, irreversible. Blackhead worm is very dangerous because it eats coconuts very quickly, within 2 months it has spread, cannot be cured “- Mr. Hai said. Up to now, the areas of coconuts heavily damaged by blackhead worms in Phu Long and Dinh Trung communes, Binh Dai district, are basically controlled by functional agencies. However, the application of mini aircraft to control the epidemic is ineffective. In other harmful blackhead worm detection locations, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has coordinated with local authorities to organize workshops and trainings to guide farmers in implementing control measures. Up to now, farmers are basically aware of the harm level as well as basic control measures, self-treatment and spraying. Mr. Phan Tan Loc, Head of Agriculture and Rural Development Division of Chau Thanh district, said: “The black-headed worm attacked about 80 hectares of the district’s coconut garden. The locality has organized the spraying of drugs according to the instructions of the authorities, but it is not effective. Therefore, the district proposes the Provincial People’s Committee to extract funding for researching special treatment drugs, soon going to the army to spray simultaneously to stamp out the epidemic, to avoid widespread spread; deploying extensive propaganda to people about temporary management measures for people to know and implement ”. Implement temporary management measures The black-headed worm attacked the coconut garden in Ben Tre. After the outbreak of black-headed worm, Ben Tre Plantation and Plant Protection Department coordinated with Southern Plant Protection Center to take samples of harmful pests and send identification samples. Center for Plant Inspection and Inspection, the Plant Protection Department has identified this pest with the scientific name Opisina arenosella Walker – a serious pest originating from southern India and Sri Lanka. In Vietnam, the blackhead worm that harms coconuts is a new pest that has not been researched and has a registered pesticide for control. Therefore, the Plantation and Plant Protection Department of Ben Tre province has issued a temporary control measure based on the reference information of the Southern Center for Plant Protection and some actual records of the unit. At the same time, to carry out propaganda and training on knowledge of blackhead pest prevention for farmers in Ben Tre. In addition, the District Plantation and Plant Protection Station also actively coordinates with relevant sectors to actively propagate, organize training courses, guide coconut farmers to recognize and manage blackhead worm. . Regarding the temporary management measures, the Department recommends that farmers regularly visit the garden to timely detect and implement preventive measures. In case of detecting a black-headed worm, people quickly prune, destroy leaves and leaves that are damaged by worms, burn or bury them in water to reduce the pest population effectively and safely for people and the environment. . This is an important and necessary measure to take immediately after a pest is detected. People should also balance fertilizer, divided into many fertilization times a year. Mr. Huynh Quang Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province, said: The view of the Ben Tre Agriculture sector is to coordinate with companies and businesses inside and outside the province to immediately apply quarantine measures to reduce honey. number of worms, limit the spread while waiting for research results to have a complete process. Pest control with the motto of environmental protection, organic coconut production has been successfully built by businesses and farmers. To stamp out epidemic diseases, but ensure a stable production environment and especially protect people and animals living under coconut canopy … In the long term, deep management of blackhead by biological means to ensure the environment, ensure the quality of coconut products with the quality of food safety accepted by the domestic and foreign markets. According to Mr. Duc, Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry is speeding up the implementation of the project “Research and assessment to determine the harmfulness of coconut leaf-eating worms and build models and propose solutions. biosafety management and prevention in the province of Ben Tre ”to apply results in production. The school has set up a room for propagating parasitic bees at the Department of Planting and Plant Protection, expanding one room at the Center of High-tech Agriculture to both research and release quickly parasitic bees. Good on black-headed worm pupae and larvae. Mr. Vo Van Nam, Head of Plantation and Plant Protection Department of Ben Tre province, said: The Department has recorded many natural enemies of the black-headed worm that harms coconut in gardens in Binh Dai district. Typically, parasitic bees, stink bugs catching prey, weaver ants, pincer beetles … Therefore, the Ben Tre Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection recommends that people choose pesticides that are less toxic, less harmful to the kind of natural enemy. In the coming time, will aim to control blackhead worm with biological measures because Thailand has successfully applied this measure with parasitic bees. In addition, the Department is also cooperating with the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry to conduct research as well as to breed this natural enemy. “Can Tho University has also studied and tested a probiotic to prevent blackhead worms with plant extracts. Initial testing on some infected areas has been effective, farmers are very excited. Ben Tre is building organic coconut gardens, so the protection of these coconut areas with bio-products is extremely necessary. Next time, this unit will continue to test to complete the process and products. If the product continues to achieve high efficiency, we will put into the process to recommend farmers to use “- Mr. Nam said.

Preliminary processing of lychee for export at Ameii Joint Stock Company. On May 9, the Plant Protection Department (Plant Protection), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development returned to the Red Dragon Production and Trade Company in Thanh Ha district (Hai Duong) to operate and take over the system. fumigation steam for litchi fruit export to Japan and other “fastidious” markets. To meet the demand of exporting fresh litchi fruit to “fastidious” markets, Hai Duong province has been approved by the Department of Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the installation of four fumigation systems. In which, Red Dragon Production and Trading Company installed two systems, Ameii Vietnam JSC installed one system and Hung Viet Agricultural Exporting Company installed one system. The installation of the fumigation system is undertaken by the Institute of Agricultural Electrical Engineering and Post Harvest Technology. The systems of fumigation and disinfection treat litchi fruit with Methyl Bromide have capacity of 15-16 tons of fruit / day. The fumigation system to treat litchi fruit with Methyl Bromide has the ability to clean 100% of diseases on litchi fruits. A fumigation system has a complete installation cost of more than 420 million VND. After checking the installation and testing process, the Plant Protection Department evaluated the sterilization systems of Hai Duong to ensure the operational standards and quality of sterilization, qualified for operation. According to the Department of Plant Protection, Hai Duong province is currently the unit with 4/5 fumigation systems nationwide. Expected litchi crop, Hai Duong province will export about 1,000 tons of fresh lychee fruit to Japan.