Transforming Rice Farming in India With Pexalon™ Insecticide
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When Navdeep Singh was a boy, his friends aspired to become engineers or doctors. Navdeep, though, wanted to be a farmer—like his father.
Navdeep used to accompany his dad to the fields and got a thrill from looking at the crops and watching the machines work. “My dream was to become a farmer,” he said.
When Navdeep was still in school, his father got seriously ill. Navdeep found himself trying to keep the family’s rice farm going and keep up with his studies. It was hard work, but it was satisfying. Eventually, he was able to buy an old tractor. “I used to be happy all day long, singing songs, riding my old tractor in the fields,” he said. Over time, his operation grew. Today he owns 60 acres of land and three tractors.
But brown planthopper, or BPH, is an ever-present threat to his hard-won achievements. Palwinder Singh, who farms in the same area as Navdeep, said, “Last year [in 2019], the BPH attack was so intense that a lot of [rice] crops were completely destroyed.” Navdeep invested in expensive insecticides but was treating his fields repeatedly just to keep up with the infestation. “I would spray my crop three to four times with these insecticides. My crop would reach the harvest stage but BPH won’t go away,” Navdeep said.
In speaking to his Corteva Agriscience representative, Navdeep learned about a new option to control BPH, Pexalon™ insecticide with Pyraxalt™ active. Navdeep decided to try the product on one of his acres and was impressed with the results. “The leaves stayed green and the yield improved as well. There was no sign of BPH,” he explained. “I was very happy and so next year, I sprayed it on the entire 50 acres.” Palwinder found many farmers have been eager to adopt Pexalon, transforming their approach to BPH control.
Pexalon is most effective when applied at the very earliest signs of BPH infestation.* It provides fast-acting control that lasts up to 21 days, which is three times longer than other commonly used pesticides. This lasting protection helps control the current population of BPH to prevent immediate crop damage and helps protect against the build-up of a second generation of the pests.
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Navdeep Singh and Atinder Grawal are childhood friends who both farm rice in the Ludhiana region of India. They’ve each had excellent results using Pexalon™ insecticide to control brown planthoppers.
As part of a program approach to BPH management, Pexalon™ insecticide only needs to be applied once per season, and its new mode of action helps reduce the risks of BPH developing resistance to the product. The active ingredient in Pexalon, Pyraxalt™ active, is also highly selective, so it has minimal impact on beneficial insects, including natural predators of BPH that help keep populations of this devastating pest under control.
Navdeep was so pleased with his experience with Pexalon, he introduced it to his friend and fellow farmer, Atinder Grewal, who also had a good result. “My paddy was green, clean and spotless. My yield also increased. With Pexalon, I got an extra yield of two to three quintals per acre,” Atinder said.
With their fields better protected against BPH, the friends are feeling confident about their next harvests. They plan to take some of their earnings and travel abroad to learn more about farming and apply that new knowledge on their own farms.
Navdeep is proud of his farming heritage and the success he’s built so far. “My grandfather used to tell me: Work hard and enjoy harder,” he said. “Today the adage is: Be smart and reap the benefits.”
Learn more about Pyraxalt active
*5-10 planthoppers per hill in transplanted paddy rice and 200-250 per 0.25m2 in direct-seeded rice
Pexalon™ insecticide is not registered for sale or use in all states or countries. Contact your local regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Always read and follow label directions.