MAJOR PEST, DISEASE SYMPTOM & MANAGEMENT



Early shoot borer -adult



1. Early shoot borer- Chilo infuscatellus
   Symptoms of damage

It infestation occurs plant growing stage to harvest stage depending on the age of plant two types of symptpms are developed:

Dead heart:



Dead heart



Dead heart in 1-3 months old crop, which can be easily pulled out.The growing point is totally eaten up by the caterpiller which disrupt the translocation system;as a result the central leaf wither and die up.this pest attack young plants before the formation of cane plants are killed and causes atotal loss.Rotten portion of the straw coloured dead heart emits an offensive odour . In the tillering phase of the crop,the attacked shoot die,resulting in the formation of side tillers.   





Bunchy top



Bore holes



Bunchy top:At later stage,the insect starts feeding &growing points becomes narrower.Then numerous leaves  come out from the top of the sugarcane plant& this symptom found after cane formation.



Bore holes at the base just above the ground level.

Management :

• Early planting during main season.
• Intercrop: Daincha – low shoot borer incidence
• Trash mulching: 10 – 15 cm thickness on 3 days after planting
• Earthing up: 45 th Days After Planting (DAP).
• Remove and destroy dead hearts
• Spray endosulfan 35 EC @ 1000 ml or chlorpyriphos 20 EC @1000 ml / ha or NSKE 5 % twice.

2. Stem or internode borer: Chilo sacchariphagus indicus
Symptoms of damage

• 

  

  Feeding injury

  

  

  Bore holes

  
  In the initial stage the larvae feed gregariously inside the top internodes of the canes.As a results dry the crown leaves.
• Several holes are found on the internodes and frasses come out from the holes .
• Sometimes adventitious roots are grown at the attacking point.
• Management:

• Collect and destroy the eggs periodically
• Detrash: 150 and 210 DAP
• Avoid use of excessive nitrogen fertilizers
• Egg parasitoid: Trichogramma chilonis @ 2.5 c.c / ha (6 releases from 4th month onwards at 15 days interval)

3. Top shoot borer, Scripophaga excerptalis


    Symptoms of damage :



Shot holes on leaves



Dead heart

•  Parallel rows of shot holes in the emerging leaves and

• Red tunnels in the   midribs of leaves
• Dead heart in grown up canes which cannot be easily pulled
• Dead heart reddish brown in colour 
•   Bunchy top due to growth of side shoots
• Management :
• Avoid excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers
• Set up light trap
•  Detrash: 150 and  210th  DAP
•  Release lepidopteran parasitoid
• Spray endosulfan 35 EC @ 1000 ml or chlorpyriphos 20 EC @1000 ml / ha or NSKE 5 % twice

4. Termite, Odontotermes obesus:

Symptoms of damage :

        Poor germination of  setts ( After  Planting)

• Characteristic  semi- circular  feeding  marks on the leaves in the standing crop
• Entire shoot dries up and can be pulled out easily
• Setts hollow  inside  and may be filled with soil
• Cane collapses if disturbed
• Rind filled with mud

Management:

• Ratoon plantation should be avoided
• Flood irrigate the furrows to avoid termite attack in the furrows at the time of planting

5.  Leafhopper, Pyrilla perpusilla

 Symptoms of damage:

Hundred or even thousand of these insects suck the sap from each sugarcane leaf.Owing to the loss of cell sap leaves become yellow&Covered with black sooty mould .Top leaves get dried up and lateral buds germinate .Black. coating interferes photosynthesis&very little food is manufactured by the plants

Management:

• Collect and destroy the egg masses
• Release Ichneumonid parasitoid:  Isotima javensis @ 125 females / ha (prepupal parasitoid