SEDL / STP / STP680-EB / STP34976S

Evaluating Bird Protection to Mechanically Sown Rice Seed Treated with Methiocarb at Nianga, Senegal, West Africa

Ruelle, P
Associate expert and bird control specialist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/United Nations Development Program (FAO/UNDP) Quelea Project, Dakar,

Bruggers, RL
Associate expert and bird control specialist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/United Nations Development Program (FAO/UNDP) Quelea Project, Dakar,

Pages: 6    Published: Jun 1979

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Abstract

A two-replicate trial design was tested and found adequate to demonstrate the repellency against pest birds in West Africa of a seed-coat treatment to rice. A treatment of 0.25 percent methiocarb by seed weight provided good protection to mechanically drilled rice seed at Nianga, Senegal, West Africa, against damage by European migrant bird species. Twice as many plants and nearly four times fewer individuals of the pest species (ruffs and godwits) were counted in treated than in untreated plots. The results present interesting possibilities for large-scale treatments, since (a) few difficulties exist in treating dry, nongerminated seeds; (b) the seeding rate might be justifiably reduced from the 120 kg/ha presently used with the necessity of reseeding perhaps eliminated; and (c) the cost probably is not prohibitive.