Comparative Evaluation of Panicle Rice Mite Infestation in Different Varieties of Paddy in Chandauli and Varanasi District (Purvanchal)

Steneotarsonemus spinki Smiley (panicle rice mite) is one of key rice pests throughout the world (Tseng, 1984). It has been reported that this mite caused 30 to 90% yield loss in rice in the different part of the countries (Almaguel et al., 2000). In the last five years, the occurrence of the panicle rice mite in Varanasi and Chandauli districts has been increased causing a severe damage in several forms e.g. Grain sterility and chaffyness etc and it has become a major pest in the rice producing areas of Purvanchal. Do Thi Dao et al. (2008) reported 59.9% more yield in the acaricide treated rice field in comparison with untreated control field. A survey, in concernedagroecological regions of India in two years, 2010–2011, showed that rice panicle mite was a dominant rice pest in this particular rice-growing area of our country. The damage was heavier in the second crop season of the years (Duong Tien Vien et al., 2012). After rice harvest, the stubble ratoon crop was the main habitat of Rice Penicle Mite and from these habitats the Rice Penicle Mite spread throughout the field in the next season (Nguyen Thi Nhamet al. 2010). This comparative study aimed to determine the different panicle rice mite densities and % grain sterility on five coarse and five fine varieties of rice in two districts of Purvanchal. Some of the varieties have shown tolerance but some of them are susceptible for Rice Panicle Mite. In this study none of the variety was found immune for this mite.