Research required urgently to control plantho...(BPH-resistant rice varietieshelped keep ...)

"One of the key problems is overuse of pesticide," said IRRI entomologist and conference organizer K.L. Heong. "As well as destroying the natural predators of planthopper, this also allows the pests to become resistant to pesticides."

Since the first BPH conference, genetics, ecology, and pest management have advanced considerably. Planthoppers are now known to be secondary pests induced by ecological disturbances such as pesticide overuse. To ensure sustainable rice production, research must be directed toward not only pest-resistant rice varieties but also healthy rice-farming ecosystems that provide the natural biological services that control planthoppers.

In the last 30 years, scientific advances have coincided with the development of ecosystem-services frameworks and lessons from breeding resistance, understanding farmer decisions, implementing IPM, and improving communication campaigns. The new knowledge can allow novel approaches and research for more sustainable management. The conference at IRRI, which will bring together leading regional expertsincluding representatives from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia, China, Japan, India, and Bangladeshand policymakers, will be an important starting point.

INTERNATIONAL PLANTHOPPER CONFERENCE
23-25 June 2008
International Rice Research Institute
Los Baos, Philippines

Keynote addresses

Science and politics in planthopper management in Asia
Dr. Peter Kenmore, Chief, Plant Protection Division,
Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome

Ecological engineering for pest managem
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