Sugarcane Borer Management Strategies and Crop Loss Assessment under Changing Climatic Conditions in Andhra Pradesh, India
Bhavani B
*
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle, India.
Saritha R
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle, India.
Visalakshi M
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle, India.
Adilakshmi D
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle, India.
Mukunda Rao Ch
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Sugarcane borers are among the most critical constraints to cane yield and sugar recovery in India. In Andhra Pradesh, the early shoot borer (ESB), Chilo infuscatellus Snellen and the internode borer (INB), Chilo sacchariphagus indicus Kapur are the predominant pests, causing substantial yield losses. Climate change has altered the occurrence patterns, outbreak frequency and population dynamics of stem borers across various regions of Andhra Pradesh. Considering the severe damage caused by these borers, particularly during the early stages of crop development, effective pest management is essential to maintain optimal plant density and achieve high cane yield. Currently, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are used to manage stem borers, combining chemical communication, biological control, chemical pesticides and the development of resistant varieties. Therefore, with a view to assess the impact of borer infestation on cane yield and to evaluate the efficacy of various management strategies including chemical, non-chemical, and integrated pest management (IPM) methods, a field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of RARS, Anakapalle for two seasons.
Field studies were conducted in a randomised block design comprised of four treatments and four replications at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle during 2023-24 and 2024-25. The data on ESB were recorded at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after planting. The data on INB, growth parameters, juice sucrose were recorded at harvest. Standard procedures were followed for the observations and statistical analysis of the data. The results revealed that more than 30% early shoot borer (ESB) incidence and 100% internode borer (INB) infestation with 26.6% intensity reduced the number of millable canes, juice sucrose, and cane weight, resulting in 18.7 per cent yield loss compared to the protected plot with IPM module (chemical + non-chemical). The IPM module significantly reduced the ESB and INB infestations and increased cane yield by 23.1% over the untreated control, achieving a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.73. In chemical and non-chemical methods alone resulted in yield increases of 19.9% and 16.7%, with BCRs of 2.69 and 2.62, respectively.
Keywords: Sugarcane borers, yield loss, assessment, climate, management, IPM, Trichogramma chilonis, intercropping, trash mulching, pheromone traps, chlorantraniliprole