An on-site aerial spray demonstration meeting for Research and Demonstration of Armyworm IPM Technology, a program under Special Fund for Agro-Scientific Research in the Public Interest (201403031) was held in Luoyang City, Henan Province, on 9-10 August. Mr. WANG Fengle, the head of the 3rd Steering Group for the Control of Major Pests in Autumn Grain Crops, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), and Director of Division of Agro-Chemicals and Applying Equipment, National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center, and Dr. JIANG Yuying, Deputy Director of the Division of Pest Forecasting were present at the meeting. Dr. JIANG Xingfu, the Chief Scientist of the Program hosted the meeting.

The on-site meeting was held in millet fields in Yichuan County, Luoyang City, Henan Province. Two key techniques developed by the Program were demonstrated. First, two new formulations of pesticide mixtures that are suitable to be applied to control armyworm were demonstrated. The co-toxicity coefficients of the new formulations are 483 and 368, respectively, in laboratory tests, which are significantly higher than the single one. Such synergistic formulation can increase obviously the control efficacy and reduce the quantity of agro-chemicals applied so as to reach the aim of increasing efficiency and decreasing chemical use. Second, water-based ultra-low-volume spray was applied. Such spray was developed for being applied with unmanned aerial vehicles and therefore with the features of high efficiency and being environment friendly. Based on preliminary assessment, the new formulations and the new spray used for unmanned aerial vehicle are significantly better than the currently used emulsions. These provide also control techniques for pests in maize and other high stalk crops at their late growth stages. Green control techniques, such as sex pheromones, natural enemies, and physical control techniques (repellent with lighting), were also demonstrated in the fields.

The demonstrated techniques kept to MOA’s requirement on reduction of fertilizer and pesticide uses and provided new choices for integration of professional pest control system and green technology. These will promote the sustainable management of crop diseases and insect pests, safeguard agro-product quality, enhance cost efficiency, increase farmers’ income and protect ecological environment.

The Program convened also academic exchange. Dr. JIANG Xingfu and the participants from program member institutions sorted the current progress in the development of armyworm monitoring and forecasting and IPM techniques. Dr. JIANG stated the feasibility of the techniques developed and made requests for next phase work. He emphasized that the member institutions complete the critical techniques and extend in demonstration areas in time. Finally, Dr. LUO Lizhi, the consultant expert of the Program, affirmed the effect of the on-site demonstration meeting. He put forward suggestions to R&D of the techniques in member institutions and work plan of the next phase.

More than 70 people attended this meeting, including Mr. LV Yinpu, the Party Secretary of Henan Plant Protection Station, Mr. WEI Wenxing, President Assistant of Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HAAS), Mr. LU Chuantao, DG of the Institute of Plant Protection (IPP), HAAS, Dr. FENG Hongqiang, DDG of IPP-HAAS, leaders, scientists and extension workers from member institutions, Bureau of Agriculture and Plant Protection Station of Luoyang City and Yichuan County and maize and millet growers. Henan Television provided a full coverage report of this on-site meeting.