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Pests, blights ravage NW China wheat crop

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-26 15:09

YINCHUAN -- Pests and diseases have infected 30 to 50 percent of the wheat crop, or 187,000 hectares, in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the regional agriculture department revealed Tuesday.

The acreage affected by pests, mainly aphids, and diseases like powdery mildew disease accounted for 87.5 percent of the wheat cultivation area, said Lai Weili, director of Crop Farming Bureau of the regional Agriculture Department.

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If not effectively controlled, the summer harvest would be harmed, said Lai.

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

The mildew first affected the surface of the plant. If it was promptly controlled with chemical sprays, the crop would still be harvested, said Lai.

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

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 southern part of Ningxia was forecast to have some rain in June. However, the hot and humid weather close to the harvest season has helped the spread of stripe rust disease, as well as powdery mildew," said Lai.

"I have already sprayed pesticide on my wheat, but it did not work well. I am doing it for the second time," said Ma Jianguo, a farmer in Dongtasi village in Wuzhong City of Ningxia.

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

The government has also stepped up checks to ensure fake pesticides are not used.