American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 9 (2): 133-139, 2010 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2010 Corresponding Author: Seyyed Ali Noorhosseini Niyaki, Department of Agronomy, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran, E-mail: seyyedalinoorhosseini@yahoo.com. 133 Social Factors Critical for Adoption of Biological Control Agents Trichogramma Spp. Egg Parasitoid of Rice Stem Borer Chilo suppressalis in North of Iran Seyyed Ali Noorhosseini Niyaki, 1 Rouhollah Radjabi and Mohammad Sadegh Allahyari 2 3 Department of Agronomy, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran 1 Dapartment of Plant Protection, Islamic Azad University, Dezful Branch, Dezful, Iran 2 Department of Agricultural Management, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran 3 Abstract: Critical social factors for adoption of biological control agents Trichogramma spp. Egg parasitoid of rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis by farmer was studied. This investigation carried out by descriptive survey during July-August 2009. Studied cities including Talesh, Rezvanshahr and Masal set in Tavalesh region of Guilan province near to Caspian Sea. The questionnaire validity and reliability were determined to enhance the dependability of the results. The farmers were divided into two groups of adopters and non-adopters. Totally 184 farmers were studied for effective characteristics. Results showed that important effective social characteristics on adoption of biological control in west of Guilan province were education level, family size, experience in rice culture, rate of participation in educational- extensional activities. Key words: Adoption %Farmer %Trichogramma %Chilo suppressalis %Iran INTRODUCTION chemical control for their rice field [3]. Population Increase of food production is most challenge of new feeding behavior of people in world. Better food century especially in developing country due to production is main goal of many agricultural population explosion. Rice is second source of food for organizations. There is a particular concern about the use many people in world specially Asia. Rice has many pests of pesticides in developing countries, like Iran, where which decrease its yield significantly. One of most insect farmers use pesticides that are restricted in other parts of pest of rice is rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis reported the world. Rice is a pesticide-intensive crop and an first time from north of Iran in 1972. Rice stem borers are increase in production is correlated with a significant rise serious pests and of regular occurrence infest the crop at in pesticide use. Pesticides are a necessary input to all stages of crop growth. The rice plants can compensate produce high yields, but can result in adverse effects on the damage caused by the borers during the vegetative both health and environment. The negative environmental phase up to the stage of maximum tillering. Infestation by impacts of chemical application have long been stem borers during the reproductive phase, especially recognized as major public health concerns. By official during panicle initiation and ear head emergence, causes estimates average of 24,000 ton of pesticides used in Iran loss in yield [1]. Trichogramma spp. regarded as egg each year [4]. Dependency on chemical pest control and parasitoids of many butterflies and moth pest in world. improper pesticide use has resulted in crop and This parasitoid is rearing in mass production in many environmental contamination and detrimental effects on insectariums supported by plant protection organization humans. Hence, many of the techniques or practices in Iran [2]. Northern provinces of Iran (Guilan, collectively referred to integrated pest management (IPM) Mazandaran and Golestan) use 60% of pesticide from total have been designed to address some of the health and usage of them. It is reported that 70% of rice farmer used environmental concerns of pesticide use. In general terms, awareness about food security leads to many changes in