Sugarcane Shoot Borers Control by Culltural Method

Abstract

The most important insects of sugarcane in the tillering stage are the early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus Snellen), the white top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker) and the pink borer (Sesamia inferens Walker). and the pink borer (Sesamia inferens Walker). The larvae feed within the growing point of the cane shoot causing deadheart symptom. The objective of this experiment has mainly focused on reducing insecticide usage for shoot borer control by cultural method. Paired comparision was made under burned dry sugarcane leaf after harvesting and unburned (mulching) plots at Cholburi, Suphan Buri and Kanchanaburi provinces. Observations were carried out over many locations with many cane varieties, showed that in the mulching plot, an average only 3.07% shoot infestations were found, while in burned plots gave 10.65% shoot infestations. Most of mulching plots reduced an infestation to levels below the economic threshold. An average cane yield of mulching plots in small plot experiment was higher than burned plots about 2.91 ton/rai or 33.33% increased yield and cane yield on mulching plots in large scale test was higher than burned plots about 0.71 ton/rai or 18.73 % increased yield. Mulching plots also increased moisture content and organic matter in the soil. In addition, investment cost such as the cost of using insecticide, herbicide and labour in mulching plots were reduced.