Sugarcane is an important crop that is widely cultivated all around the world. Along with the benefits that come with cultivating sugarcane, there are also challenges that farmers face such as pests and insects. There’s a range of bugs that can infest sugarcane plants, affecting yields and overall crop quality. Let’s take a closer look at information on insect control in sugarcane.
1. Insect pests
The most common insect pests that attack sugarcane are the stalk borer, the white grub, and the sugarcane hornworm. Infestations by these pests can cause damage to the plant stems, leaves and even the roots. Other insect pests that affect sugarcane include mealybugs, aphids, thrips, and armyworms.
2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Insect control in sugarcane involves the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. This entails the combination of different pest control techniques that aim to reduce the reliance on pesticides, protect the environment and enhance the overall quality of the crop. Among the methods used in IPM include cultural, physical, mechanical, chemical and biological control.
3. Cultural Control
Cultural control is an IPM technique used to manage pests by modifying the environment, the crop management practices, and the surrounding areas. In sugarcane, cultural pest control methods include crop rotations, intercropping, and the use of resistant varieties of sugarcane. Crop rotations have been shown to interrupt the life cycle of pests while intercropping increases biodiversity by providing habitats for beneficial insects that can predate on the pests.
4. Physical and Mechanical Control
Physical and mechanical control refers to the use of physical devices and equipment to manage the population of insect pests. The use of insect traps, sticky boards, and mulching around the base of the sugarcane plants can help capture and control insect pests. Mechanical control includes the use of manual labor to remove insect pests and their larvae from the fields.
5. Chemical control
Chemical control involves the use of pesticides to manage pest populations. This method should only be employed after other pest control methods have failed or are ineffective. When using chemical pesticides, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to reduce the likelihood of resistance and environmental impacts.
6. Biological Control
Biological control refers to the use of natural enemies of the pests to control their populations. In sugarcane, biological control methods include the use of parasitic wasps, ladybirds, spiders, and birds that predate on insect pests.
In conclusion, insect control in sugarcane involves a combination of techniques that are aimed at reducing pest-inflicted damage. The use of IPM techniques is crucial in ensuring that sugarcane production is sustainable and that the environment is protected. Therefore, farmers must choose the most appropriate technique or combination of methods depending on the pest, environment, and other factors.