White Grub Infestation on Sugarcane
Sugarcane is one of the world’s essential crops owing to the various sweet products it generates. As a result, any adverse incident concerning sugarcane production poses a significant threat to both the farmers and the consumers. One of such danger is the attack of white grub in sugarcane cultivation.
White grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are a group of agricultural pests that belong to the genus scarab. These pests are commonly found in soil and have a whitish color and a typical C-shaped body that is curved when pressed. They usually grow up to 3-5 cm in size and, when these pests infest sugarcane fields, they cause significant damage to the crop’s roots.
The primary reason for the spread of white grub is its life cycle. The white grub spends most of its time underground, feeding on sugarcane roots and emerging to mate and lay eggs during the hot and humid summer months, coinciding with the planting cycle. Grubs can also remain in the soil as larvae for many years before they emerge from the soil to complete their life cycle.
Once white grubs have infected the sugarcane field, the first sign farmers would notice is wilting plants, yellowing leaves, and stunted sugarcane growth. These symptoms occur as the white grubs feed on the roots, diminishing the ability of the plant to absorb nutrients and water. As the infestation grows, the sugarcane field will appear patchy and eventually lead to a significant drop in sugarcane yield.
Farmers must undertake effective control measures to prevent or control the white grub infestation in sugarcane cultivation. Preventive measures include crop rotation, changing of planting date, or using resistant varieties that have evolved to repel white grubs, or even applying compost to promote soil health, which can inhibit white grub emergence. The use of chemicals and pesticides is another common control measure that lowers white grub populations, but it comes with potential health and environmental risks.
The attack of white grub is a significant threat to the sugarcane industry, and early identification and preventive measures of this pest are crucial for obtaining a healthy sugarcane crop. It is also important for farmers to cultivate proper farming practices that enhance soil health for the long-term health of sugarcane plants and help prevent pests such as white grub from infesting their fields.