Sugar Crops Entomology

Introduction

Sugarcane is an important industrial and cash crop of NWFP, grown on about 0.1 million hectares annually with about 80% in Peshawar valley. The cane and sugar recoveries are low as compared to other sugarcane growing countries. Among various factors responsible for low yields, insect pests play an important role in causing damages to crop be chewing, boring the plant and sucking the cell sap of the plant which badly affect cane and sugar yield of the crop. The pests which attack sugarcane crop are Pyrilla (Pyrilla perpusilla), Whitefly (Aleurolobus barodensis), black bug (Macropes sp.), Mealy Bug (Coccicoccus sacchari), Thrips, Jassids, Mites and six species of borer i.e. shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus), Top Borer (Scripophaga novella), Root borer (Emmulocera depressela), Stalk borer (Chilo auricillius), Gurdaspur borer (Acigona steniellus), and Pink borer (Sesemia inferens), and other pests are Termites (Microtermes obesi), and Odontotermes obesus, Army worms, and Grass hoppers.

Since very long pests are controlled by the use of chemicals. In modern era, it is no longer advisable that one should pollute the environment and even the commodities which are directly consumed by the human being and the other animals. Keeping in view the critical situation the scientists are compelled to search out ways and means other than the use of chemicals for the protection of the crops. Nowadays a sound Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technology has become necessary.

Before starting IPM first step is pest scouting which is necessary for timely, effective and economical adoption of IPM methods which means “to know about the severity of pest on a certain crop”. For this purpose periodical survey is necessary depending upon the field, life of the crop and pest.

Sugarcane leafhopper (Pyrilla) and whitefly were the two dreaded pests of sugarcane challenging the sugar and gur industry since 1951-52 when larger area under the crop was brought under cultivation in Peshawar valley. With the failure of ground applications of pesticides aerial spray was started in 1951-52 and was continued twice a season until 1986.

In 1987, pest scouting was properly conducted twice a month in summer season under the leadership of the Entomologist, Sugar Crops Research Institute, Mardan. The two pests were found usually below the economic threshold level especially during early part of summer. Sufficient beneficial fauna (Predators and parasitoids) complex was also recorded to exist. Recommendations were regularly submitted to the government and concerned quarters to avoid the large scale spray. Other unfavorable physical and biological factors, for spray were also studied and promptly reported.

Since 1990-91 no aerial spray has been conducted with an overall result of

  1. Suppressed insects and mite pests
  2. Increased cane yield (15 – 25%)
  3. Increased sugar recovery (1 – 1.5%)
  4. Increased gur recovery (100%)
  5. Improve gur quality
  6. Saving of about (100 – 150) million rupees as cost of pesticides alone used in aerial spray.
  7. Saving operation cost of aerial spray
  8. About 2.5 billion rupees increased annually as extra income to growers and millers on a conservative estimates during 1987-88 to 1994-95 as compared to 1986-87.

For effective control of the prevailing insect pests of sugarcane it is of prominent importance to understand its life history and the proper stage for its control. At SCRI, Mardan, elaborate studies on all insect pests attacking sugarcane have been undertaken, and documented for the benefit of the farming community.

Based on the discipline of this institute, Entomology section is working on the IPM techniques of alarming insect pests mentioned earlier and effective protection techniques have been developed for sugarcane farmers of the area in the light of proper research done at the institute and farmers’ fields under adoptive research work.

Objectives

  1. To develop and standardize biological control based IPM technology for the major insect pests of sugarcane.
  2. To minimize misuse of hazardous pesticides.
  3. To produce those varieties of sugarcane having tolerance to insect pests.
  4. To educate walk-in growers for adoption of IPM technology against insect pests of sugar crops.

Reasons for low yield due to pest attack

  1. Growing of susceptible varieties to pests.
  2. No proper utilization of all IPM components against pests by all growers.
  3. Majority of growers rely on pesticide dealers and do not contact research/extension experts for effective control measures.
  4. Socio-economic conditions of farmers.

Section routine activities

Achievements

Click here for photos of sugarcane borers taken at SCRI Mardan

For viewing pictures of Sugarcane insect pests please visit

http://www.vsisugar.com/india/agriculture_divisions/sugarcane_information/sugarcane_pests.htm

Control of boring pests (Borers)

  1. Cultural
    1. Plantation of clean seed of improved tolerant varieties such as Mardan 92, CP 77/400, SPSG-394, and CPM-421.
    2. Balance fertilization.
    3. Strong earthing up in May/June especially in ratoon crop.
    4. Early harvesting at ground level.
    5. Hoeing after harvesting in winter.
    6. Non maintenance of ratoon of heavy infested plant crop.
  2. Mechanical
    1. Rouging of dead-hearts in April-June.
    2. Rouging of dry tops at weekly interval during July to August.
    3. Destruction of uprooted stubble or crushing well by Rotavator.
  3. Biological
    1. Avoid aerial spray
    2. Release egg parasite, Trichogramma and larval parasite Cotesia flavips at 15 days interval during April – September which are commercially available.
  4. Chemical
    1. After rouging of dead-hearts during April – June put 1 – 2 gm Furadon or Basudin granules at the cut base of the tiller.
    2. Apply Furadon or Curator granules @ 8 Kgs/acre during earthing up specially in ratoon crop.
    3. Spray Gusathion or Ripcord or Folidol on cut stubble after harvesting in November/December.

Control of sucking pests

  1. Pyrilla

  1. Cultural
    1. Growing varieties with thin and erect leaves.
    2. Less ratooning.
    3. Trees, especially poplar near and around cane fields should not be grown.
    4. Avoiding prolong standing of the crop in fields.
  2. Mechanical
    1. Crushing of eggs mass during May – July.
    2. Collection of nymphs and adults in April – May by hand nets and kill them.
    3. Burning of trash in fields after harvest but leaving some in bundle nearby.
  3. Biological
    1. Leaving of trash in bundle near the fields and avoiding unnecessary aerial or ground spray will conserve the beneficial fauna, which will control the pests effectively.
  4. Chemical
    1. If needed a ground spray of Methyle parathion or Methamidophose or Tamaron or Folidal-M @ 1 – 1.5 liter/ha should be given in July – August.

2. Whitefly

  1. Cultural
    1. Growing varieties with thin and erect leaves.
    2. Less ratooning.
    3. Trees, especially poplar near and around cane fields should not be grown.
    4. Avoiding prolong standing of the crop in fields.
    5. Cutting of young tillers after harvest to avoid egg laying in the field.
  2. Mechanical
    1. Collection and burning of heavily infested leaves in early season.
  3. Biological
    1. Leaving of trash in bundle near the fields and avoiding unnecessary aerial or ground spray will conserve the beneficial fauna, which will control the pests effectively.
  4. Chemical
    1. If needed a ground spray of Diazinon or Perfekthion or Novacron should be given in July – August.

3. Black bug

  1. Cultural
    1. Growing varieties with leaves tightly sticking to the stalks.
    2. Ratoon crop should be hoed early in winter.
    3. Harvesting at soil surface and flooding ratoon stubble in February/March.
  2. Mechanical
    1. Burning of trash in fields after harvest but leaving some in bundle nearby.
  3. Biological
    1. Avoiding unnecessary application of aerial or ground spray.
  4. Chemical
    1. Spray Folidol-M or Methamidophos in 2nd fortnight of April in ratoon if necessary. Another spray in 2nd fortnight of July if needed the nozzle of the pump should be directed downward to allow the spray drops in to the leaf sheaths.

4. Mealy bug

  1. Cultural
    1. Growing varieties with leaves tightly sticking to the stalks.
    2. Ratoon crop should be hoed early in winter.
    3. Harvesting at soil surface and flooding ratoon stubble in February/March.
  2. Mechanical
    1. Burning of trash in fields after harvest but leaving some in bundle nearby.
    2. Detrashing of leaves up to middle of cane during August/September.
  3. Biological
    1. Avoiding unnecessary application of aerial or ground spray.
  4. Chemical
    1. Spray Folidol-M or Methamidophos @ 0.5 liters/acre if necessary but after detrashing the leaves.

5. Thrips (Unidentified)

  1. Cultural
    1. Tolerant varieties with erect leaves tightly stuck to stem should be grown.
    2. Balance fertilization with minimum nitrogen.
  2. Biological
    1. Avoiding unnecessary pesticide application including aerial spray.
  3. Chemical
    1. Spray Tamaron, Folidol-M or Novacron @ 1.5 liter/ha.

6. Mites

  1. Cultural
    1. Growing of varieties with thin and erect leaves.
    2. Clean cultivation in May to July.
  2. Mechanical
    1. Destruction of weeds in and around the field.
    2. Burning of trash of heavily infested crop.
  3. Biological
    1. Avoiding unnecessary pesticide application for other pests.
  4. Chemical
    1. Spray Ethion, Tedion, Neuron, Folidol-M or Agrifol @ 1 - 1.5 liter/ha in May/June and September.

7. Termites

  1. Cultural
    1. Sugarcane should not be grown on elevated dry soils where termites infestation is high rather sugarbeet should be grown instead. However, sugarcane should be grown in the lower fields and limited area in the above mentioned areas.
    2. More irrigation should be provided in termites infested area.
    3. Field should be ploughed deeply at least once before plantation.
    4. More seed rate should be used.
    5. Poplar should not be grown around and in the field.
    6. Field dumps and elevated parts should be leveled.
    7. Channel should be dog out and kept filled with water during irrigation in summer months.
    8. Avoid use of fresh manure.
  2. Mechanical
    1. Lorsban 40 EC or Thiodan 35 EC should be sprayed in line before burying the cane setts especially in September plantation.
    2. Seed should be treated for half an hour in lime water prepared overnight.
    3. The seedlings should be treated in field with insecticides Lorsban 40 EC or Thiodan 35 EC in irrigation water.
    4. Swarming, alate reproductive forms should be killed by light traps placed over poisoned water at dusk after rain in summer months.
    5. During swarming in July the termite colonies should be detected/traced out and destroy it with Kerosine oil or insecticides.
    6. Wooden dry sticks (1.5 feet) especially of poplar, wrapped with toilet paper should be stacked and termites collected and treated with insecticides and the sticks be installed again. It should be repeated once a week in summer months.
    7. Holes should be dug out in fields at 5 – 10 meters distance and poisoned with insecticides once a month to poison the sub soil.
    8. Stumps of trees be uprooted or poisoned once a month with insecticides around the fields.
    9. Poison the channel around the field with Kersosine oil or insecticide and field itself during irrigation with Lorsban 40 EC or Thiodan 35 EC.
  3. Biological
    1. Aerial spray should be avoided for conservation of bio-control agents like lizards, toads, and birds.

For Sporadic pests like

  1. Army worm control with:
    1. Digging a channel around the field and
    2. Keeping it clean and full of water
    3. Spray of light insecticides on clovers and wheat crop near sugarcane field at the end of February and the beginning of March.
  2. Grass Hoppers
    1. The pest can be controlled by clean cultivation and with the spray of Tamaron or dusting with Sevendust during May, when and where needed.

Future Plans                                          

  1. To introduce new approaches of IPM though regular research work
  2. To introduce new species of egg parasite (Trichogramma).