Investigation on eco-friendly management of yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) in rice through silicon amendment and tolerant varieties for sustainable rice production

Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is a vital staple crop, yet its productivity is a barely affected by the yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas . Conventional insecticide-based control is limited by larval concealment and resistance, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. This study assessed silicon supplementation through diatomaceous earth (DAE, 0.6 t/ha) for managing YSB in popular rice cultivars in Mandya, Karnataka, India. The application of diatomaceous earth (69.50% Silica) markedly reduced YSB incidence, minimizing dead heart (DH) and white ear (WE) damage. Tolerant cultivars such as BR2655 and IR64 showed lower larval tunnelling and larval weight, while untreated variety Jaya remained highly susceptible. Silicon treatment improved stem strength, chlorophyll content, and uptake of nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, enhancing plant defenses. It also supported better growth, yield attributes, and rice productivity, with variety Jaya recording 33% higher grain yield compared to untreated control. Correlation and principal component analyses confirmed silicon’s strong positive links with nutrient uptake and chlorophyll, and negative links with pest traits. This indicates that silicon acts not only as a physical barrier but also as a regulator of plant defense and growth. Overall, combining silicon fertilization with tolerant cultivars reduces reliance on insecticides and offers a cost-effective, environmentally safe integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. Adoption of this approach can secure rice yields, safeguard farmer livelihoods, and support sustainable rice production.