Sugarcane is an important cash crop grown extensively in India and many other countries. It is often grown in rotation with paddy, which is another important crop. However, sugarcane in paddy crop faces many challenges and threats from pests, diseases, and weeds. In this article, we will discuss plant protection measures for the control of sugarcane in paddy crop.
Pests Control Measures:
Sugarcane is prone to many pests, including stem borers, scales, mealybugs, and aphids. These pests can damage the plant and reduce the yield. To control these pests, farmers can adopt the following measures:
1. Biological control: Release of natural enemies in sugarcane fields like predators, parasitoids and pathogens play an important role in pest management. The most common natural enemy used in the control of sugarcane pests is the Braconid Wasp.
2. Cultural control: Proper field sanitation of crop residues, weed management, and crop rotation play an important role in the management of sugarcane pests. The alternate crop in the rotation should preferably be a non-sugarcane crop.
3. Chemical control: Low-toxic pesticides can be used to control pests when they cross the economic threshold level. But farmers should take precautions to use correctly.
Diseases Control Measures:
Sugarcane is prone to a variety of diseases, including smut, leaf spots, and mosaic virus. These diseases can cause severe damage to sugarcane plants and reduce the yield. To control these diseases, farmers can adopt the following measures:
1. Use of disease-free planting material: Use of disease-free seeds or plantlets should be adopted as a basic measure. The materials should be inspected and certified.
2. Crop rotation and crop residue management: Crop rotation with non-sugarcane crops, and proper field sanitation to remove infected plant debris can minimize the incidence of diseases.
3. Chemical control: A combination of low-toxicity fungicides might be required for disease control. Farmers should follow the recommended guidelines of the manufacturer and use precautions.
Weed control measures:
Weeds can cause yield losses in sugarcane crop. The following measures can be adopted to control weeds:
1. Crop rotation: Alternative crops with different life cycles may help in managing weeds.
2. Mechanical control: Hand weeding or hoeing can be done for small-scale control of weeds.
3. Chemical control: The application of selective herbicides at recommended doses and stages helps in controlling weeds.
In conclusion, the adoption of pest, disease, and weed management practices in sugarcane grown in paddy crop can minimize yield reductions and increase productivity. Also, farmers should choose the right measures and practices, pay attention to the recommended guidelines, and use them with necessary precautions.