Rats in rice: linking crop and pest models to explore management strategies
Peter R. Brown A E , Nguyen Thi My Phung A B C and Donald S. Gaydon D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences and CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
B An Giang Plant Protection Department, Long Xuyen, An Giang, Vietnam.
C School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Qld, Australia.
D CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Dutton Park, Brisbane, Qld 4102, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: peter.brown@csiro.au
Wildlife Research 38(7) 560-567 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR10194
Submitted: 22 October 2010 Accepted: 5 May 2011 Published: 30 November 2011
Abstract
Context: Rodents cause yield losses of 10–15% in irrigated lowland rice crops in Vietnam, with farmers spending a lot of time and money trying to control them. Despite this, there is little understanding about the optimal timing of rodent control and the level of reduction required to maximise rice crop yields. This is compounded by the ability of rice crops to compensate for damage, and farmers applying control at the wrong time.
Aims: We explored the optimal timing and intensity of rodent control required to increase yields of irrigated lowland rice crops in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Methods: We developed a system analysis framework using the rice model APSIM-Oryza validated against a hand-clipped field experiment, linked with a rodent population model and field data on rodent damage rates in rice crops. A range of intensities of reduced feeding rates and timing were explored in simulated scenarios. The responses were examined over three rice crop seasons in An Giang province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Key results: The rice crop model was benchmarked, validated and shown to adequately compensate for rodent damage. Highest yield losses occurred in the third rice crop (16% yield loss). A one-off rodent control action at the booting stage of the rice crop with 50% control effectiveness achieved a 5% yield increase. The community trap barrier system (CTBS) with 30% control effectiveness achieved a 5% yield increase.
Conclusions: The modelling demonstrated the importance of rodent management timing and that control should be applied before the onset of the rodent breeding season, which normally starts at maximum tillering or booting stages.
Implications: We conclude that modelling can improve pest management decisions by optimising timing and level of effectiveness to achieve yield increases.
Additional keywords: APSIM-Oryza, compensation, damage, irrigated lowland rice, ricefield rats, Vietnam.
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