The shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus) is a common pest that attacks sugarcane crops. These pests lay their eggs in the leaf sheaths of the sugarcane plant during the growing season. The larvae that hatch from the eggs burrow into the stem, making tunnels inside them and destroying the plant tissues. If left uncontrolled, shoot borer infestations can cause significant yield losses in sugarcane crops.
Controlling shoot borer infestations in sugarcane crops is crucial to ensure crop yield and quality. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices using a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control methods are effective in controlling shoot borers in sugarcane crops.
Cultural control methods involve implementing agronomic practices that can reduce the pest population in the field. Practices such as crop rotation, planting resistant varieties, use of clean planting material, and crop sanitation can help manage shoot borer infestations in sugarcane. Farmers must remove and destroy all crop residues before planting, as shoot borers can survive on the residue of the previous crop and re-infest the new crop.
Biological control involves using natural enemies of shoot borers, such as wasps and predators, to control their populations. These natural enemies are introduced or encouraged in the sugarcane field to help control shoot borers. Research has shown that using egg parasitoids, such as Trichogramma chilonis can reduce shoot borer populations by up to 90%.
Chemical control involves the use of insecticides to control shoot borers. It is essential to use insecticides judiciously to avoid the development of resistance in shoot borer populations. Farmers can use foliar sprays of insecticides, such as chlorpyrifos, fipronil, or imidacloprid, to control shoot borers. However, farmers must follow label directions for safe and effective use of insecticides and avoid overuse.
In conclusion, shoot borer infestations can cause significant yield losses in sugarcane crops. Integrated pest management practices using cultural, biological, and chemical control methods are effective in controlling shoot borers and ensuring crop health and productivity. Farmers must strive to implement these practices to keep shoot borer infestations at bay.