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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Influence of sowing windows on pest pressure and crop vulnerability in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13784
Submitted
22 January 2026
Published
01-07-2026

Abstract

Sowing dates play a crucial role in managing biotic stress and crop susceptibility in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under field conditions. A field experiment with six sowing windows, from early June to late August, conducted to observe how pest stress and crop damage changed over time. The findings demonstrated a distinct impact of sowing time on crop vulnerability, characterised by increasing pest pressure and damage in delayed sowing scenarios. Crops that were sown early (1st–10th June) had the least biotic stress, with the minimal pest incidence and crop damage. On the other hand, very late sown crops (15th–25th August) exhibited the highest pest incidence and stress. Statistical analysis revealed significant disparities among sowing windows, while correlation studies illustrated robust positive correlations between pest pressure and crop damage, underscoring the increased susceptibility of late-sown crops. The results revealed that timely sowing enables the crop to partially escape peak pest pressure, thereby reducing infestation and enhancing crop resilience. The study highlights sowing window management as a straightforward, economical and environmentally sustainable agronomic approach to mitigate biotic stress and improve the resilience of rice-based production systems in the face of shifting climatic conditions.

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