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Early Shoot Borer and Top Borer Pest Control in Sugarcane Crop
Sugarcane is an important crop for farmers as well as the sugar industry in many countries. However, pests like the early shoot borer and top borer can cause significant damage to this crop. Early shoot borers and top borers are insects that attack sugarcane plants, and if left unchecked, they can reduce crop yield, impact cane quality, and cause significant economic losses. In this article, we will discuss how to control these pests in sugarcane crops.
Early Shoot Borer:
The early shoot borer (ESB), Chilo infuscatellus, is a common pest of sugarcane in many sugarcane-producing countries including India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Indonesia. ESB larvae burrow into the sugarcane shoot early in the crop cycle, causing deadhearts (drying of central leaves) and tiller death. Severe infestations can cause yield losses of up to 50%.
ESB Control Measures:
– Crop rotation: Farmers should avoid planting sugarcane on the same field for more than two years, as early shoot borer larvae overwinter in the trash left on the sugarcane field after harvest.
– Early detection: Farmers should keep a close eye on their sugarcane fields and remove any deadhearted plants as soon as they appear.
– Biological control: Parasitoid wasp, Tetrastichus schoenobii is a natural enemy of early shoot borer, and using this parasitoid can help to reduce the population of ESB.
– Chemical control: Insecticides such as thiodicarb, lambda cyhalothrin, and fipronil can be used to control ESB infestation. However, farmers should use them judiciously, adhering to correct dosages and application methods.
Top Borer:
Top borer, Scirpophaga excerptalis is a common pest that infests the top internodes of sugarcane plants. It is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, where it causes significant yield losses if adequate control measures are not taken.
Top Borer Control Measures:
– Timing of planting: Planting sugarcane during the period of insect dormancy and peak flowering can help to reduce the population of top borer pests.
– Biological control: The egg parasitoids, Trichogramma chilo suppress the population of the top borer. Using these natural predators can help to manage pest infestations.
– Chemical control: Using insecticides such as thiodicarb, cartap, and chlorpyrifos can provide control of the pest. However, care should be taken when using chemicals to avoid harming beneficial insects and pollinators.
Conclusion:
Early shoot borer and top borer pests can cause significant economic losses to sugarcane farmers, impacting industry production, and export. The good news is that with proper management strategies, farmers can control the pests and save their sugarcane crops. By using crop rotation, early detection, biological control, and judicious use of chemicals if necessary, farmers can keep these pests under control and achieve a healthy harvest.