Pest Management and disease Pest management of Sugarcane

Pest Management and disease Pest management of Sugarcane

Sugarcane is affected by a good number of diseases in Bangladesh. Forty (40)

sugarcane diseases have so far been identified in the country. Of them seed piece

transmissible diseases like red rot, smut, white leaf, ratoon stunting etc. causes

maximum damage to crops in terms of yield and juice quality. Overall 20% losses of

cane are caused by different diseases.

Major diseases and control measures:

Red Rot disease

Red rot is the most serious diseases of sugarcane in Bangladesh. It is a fungal

disorder and has worldwide distribution. The pathogen attacks the stalk as a result the

infected plant initially display a

yellowing of 3rd a n d 4 th l e a f a n d

gradually the whole crown become

yellow and ultimately dries up. Splitting

open of the infected stalk display a red

discolouration intercepted by white

patches symptoms. Due to infection of

red rot, sugarcane plant dries up causing drastic reduction of weight of cane and

sugar. In case of severe infection losses of sugarcane may go as high as 100%.

Intercropping Potato

with Sugarcane

Intercropping Onion (bulb)

with Sugarcane

Intercropping Wheat in

Paired row Sugarcane

Infected field Stalk red rot

2nd Intercrop-Mungbean in

Paired Row Sugarcane

Control measures:

• Use of red rot resistant varieties like Isd 2/54, Isd 16, Isd 19, Isd 20, Isd 34, Isd 37,

Isd 38, Isd 39, Isd 40.

• Avoid water logging condition in the field.

• Avoid ratooning of diseased crop.

• Follow crop rotation with green manure crops.

• Use heat treated seed materials or their successive generation. Sugarcane seed

(sett) treatment by moist hot air at 54ºC with above 95% relative humidity (RH)

for 4 hours is effective in eradicating red rot pathogen in the sett.

• Controlling sugarcane stem borer becauseit is a carrier of red rot pathogen.

Seed Transmissible Diseases

Major seed transmissible diseases are smut (C.O. Ustilago

scitaminea), white leaf (C.O. Phytoplasma), Grassy shoot

(C.O. Phytoplasma) and ratoon stunting (C.O. Clavibacter

xyli). Smut infected plant display of producing whip like

structure from the crown with narrow and erect leaf.

White leaf infected plant shows dwarf growth with albino

leaves. Grassy shoot infected plant display grassy

appearance with numerous tillers. The ratoon stunting

disease affected plant display stunting growth with

pinkish/orange spots at the internal nodal tissues. All these

disease are very much destructive. Due to these diseases in

severe cases the yield of cane could be reduced up to 75%.

Control measures:

• Smut, white leaf and grassy shoot diseases could be controlled successfully by

treating seed materials in moist hot air at 54ºC with above 95% RH for 4 hours and

rouging of infected plants.

• Ratoon stunting disease can be controlled by treating seed materials in hot water at

50ºC for 3 hours.

Soil borne diseases

Some soil borne fungi such as Ceratocystis paradoxa, Fusarium sp. etc. causes sett

rot and induces germination failure.

Control measures:

• To protect setts from the attack of these fungi some

fungicides have been recommended. They are:

Bavistin-50WP, Knowin 50WP, Genuine 50WP,

Headazim 50WP, Seadazim 50WP, Corogim-50WP,

Edvistin-50WP, Forastin-50WP, Agridazim-50WP,

Aimcozim-50WP and Avistin-50WP. Sugarcane setts

are to be treated in 0.01% (1 gm in 1 litre water) of any

of the above fungicide for 30 minutes before planting.

Pineapple disease (Sett rot)

infected sugarcane sett

Smut infected sugarcane plant

White leaf infected clump

Sugarcane nematodes

Nematodes occurring in the sugarcane root environment are

under the genera of Meloidogyne spp, Hoplolaimus spp,

Helicotylenchus s p p , Tylenchorhynchus spp and

Pratylenchus spp. In sugarcane, the symptoms developed

by nematodes resemble those caused by nutrient deficiency,

drought or other root disorders. Unthrifty appearances,

reduced rate of plant growth, stunting of growth etc. They

also act as predisposing agents, cooperators and infection

initiators of root infecting fungi.

Control measures:

• Nematicides (Furadan 5G, Rugby 10G, Alphafuran 5G) and Press mud were found

effective in controlling sugarcane nematodes. Furadan 5G @ 2kg a.i./ha, Rugby 10G

@ 2 kg a.i./ha, Alpataran 5G @ 2kg a.i./ha and press mud @ 20 tons per hectare

have been recommended to control sugarcane nematodes.

Root parasite

Striga densiflora is a serious root parasite of sugarcane.

The yield loss of sugarcane in the heavily striga infested

field may go as high as 100%. Due to striga infestation,

sugarcane plants die and disappear.

Control measures:

• Striga can be controlled successfully by applying urea

@ 395 kg/ha in 3 (three) installments- 1/3 rd during

planting, 1/3rd during the month of April and the rest

1/3rd during May. Striga plants can be controlled within 24 hrs by spraying 5%

urea solution (5 kg urea in 100 litre water) during sunny day.

Integrated Disease Management (IDM)

Actually no single method is effective in controlling different diseases. Most of the

important diseases of sugarcane can be effectively controlled by integration of

various control approaches. The integrated control approaches are:

• Selection of medium high and high lands for sugarcane cultivation.

• Selection of disease resistant varieties.

• Selection of disease free healthy seed materials.

• Heat therapy of seed materials (sett treatment in moist hot air at 54oC with above

95% RH for 4 hours or in hot water at 50oC for 3 hours).

• Chemical treatment of seed pieces with Bavistin 50WP (0.1%) or with similar

fungicides, and

• Rouging of diseased clumps as and when detected.

Root knot disease

Striga infested sugarcane field

Major insects and their control measures:

Sugarcane Insects

About 70 insects and pests have so far been identified in the country and of them 7-8

insects are very much destructive.It is observed that about 20% yield loss of

sugarcane occurred every year due to insect infestation.

Early shoot borer

The borer larvae enter the plants laterally by one or

more holes in the stalk and bore downwards as well

as upwards killing the growing point, thereby cutting

off the central leaf spindle which dries up forming a

dead heart that can be pulled out easily. The cut off

portion inside the bored plant rots and the dead heart

emits an offensive odour on being pulled out.

Control measures:

• Use of resistant variety.

• Early planting.

• Early shoot borer infested plant is to be cut down at the bottom level and larvae

inside plant are to be the destroyed.

• Application of insecticides under Carbofuran group like Furadan 5G, Furafuran

5G, Curatar 5G etc. @ 40 kg/ha at the root zone of sugarcane and to be covered

with soil. After application of insecticide light irrigation is to be applied.

Top Shoot Borer

Female moth of top shoot borer lays egg under side

of sugarcane leaf. It looks like yellowish cotton

mass. Within 6-15 days larvae comes out from egg

and enter into the top of the cane through mid rib

and destroy the top portion of cane. The larva bores

its way to the central core of the spindle through the

unfolded leaves, and as a result rows of shot-holes

become visible when the leaves unfold. Burnt dead heart occur when the larvae cuts

the growing point. In the grown up canes, the infestation results in dead heart which

induces sprouting of the lateral buds giving bunchy top appearance.

Control measures:

• Collection of moth and egg mass of top shoot borer by hand and their destruction

(January to June). It is easy, protective and environment friendly.

• Top shoot borer affected sugarcane plants are to be cut just below the attacking

point and the larva inside the plants (January to June) destroyed. It is easy, curative

and environment friendly. It should be done in a body in all sugarcane plots.

Early shoot borer affected plant

Top shoot borer affected plant

• Granular insecticides like Furadan 5G, Curatar 5G, Sunfuran 5G, Furataf 5G etc.

(Carbofuran insecticides) are to be applied @ 40 kg/ha on both sides of sugarcane

line in the shallow furrow made by plough and covered with soil. After application

of insecticides, light irrigation is to be applied. If sufficient moisture remains in the

soil, no need of irrigation. The insecticides must be applied in of March to May if

infestation levels cross above 5%. It is an effective (above 80%) and phytotonic

insecticides which helps in the growth of sugarcane.

Stem borer

Stem borer is the most serious pest of sugarcane. Due to

its attack 8-70% yield loss of cane may occur. As the

larva feed inside the internodes, excreta of insects are

pushed to the exterior through the bore holes in the top

internodes. Top leaves of infested cane dry completely.

Tunneling of internodes is so severe that the dried top

portion of the cane easily breaks off at the attacking

point. Sett roots are formed in the infested internodes and

envelope the stalk in a network of root hairs. The lateral buds also sprout.

Control measures:

• Primary infested cane should be cut down just below the affected point and

destroying the larvae.

• Remove the older leaves of sugarcane. It reduces the infestation level of stem borer.

• Application of insecticides under Cartaf 4G group like Padan 4G, Sidan 4G, Rajex 4G,

Sundan 4G @ 75 kg/ha on both sides of sugarcane line near the root zone are to be

made and covered with soil. It is effective in controlling stem borers at least by 80%.

Root stock borer

Rootstock borer is a serious pest of sugarcane

which causes yield loss of cane by 2-73%. It attacks

during May-October. Rootstock borer generally

infests the young shoots. When its infestation

occurs during the early stage of crop growth, dead

hearts are formed. But in the grown up canes, no

external symptoms is discernible except yellowing of leaves.The canes have to be

dug out to detect its attack. The dead heart can not be pulled out easily and often, in

the process the plant gets pulled out, with the larva either hanging out at the broken

end of the shoot or remaining partly inside the underground portion and partly

protruding outside.

Control measures:

• Root stock borer affected plants should be uprooted and the larvae of insects in the

tunnel of root stock should be destroyed.

Stem borer affected plant

Root stock borer affected plant

• Stubble burning after harvest of cane: After harvest of cane the stubble should be

uprooted, dried and burnt in the field. It is very much effective in controlling root

borer.

• If the infestation level cross above 5% then insecticides under Chloropyriphos

15G group like Lorseban 15G, Pyriban 15G, Nocoban 15G etc. @ 15 kg/ha or

Rugby 10G @ 20 ka/ha should be applied in the root zone on both sides of

sugarcane line and covered with soil.

• During application of insecticides, there should be sufficient moisture in the soil or

after insecticide application irrigation should be applied in the field. It is effective

in controlling rootstock borer and it has phytotonic effects.

White grubs

The grubs feed on the roots while the adults feed on

foliage of tree and shrubs.Uneven growth in the field

is observed. It also shows drying of crown, preceded

by yellowing and wilting of leaves; roots are eaten

away. Ultimately, the affected shoot/cane dries

up.High incidence is observed in February-July.

Control measures:

• Beetle of white grub living on jackfruit, mango,

guava trees etc. should be controlled by light

trap or by hand net and destroyed.

• Land should be deep ploughed and open in the sun for 3-4 days to kill the grubs.

• Early planting of sugarcane is recommended.

• Affected land should be made stagnant with water for 5-7 days.

• Insecticides under Carbofuran group like Furadan 5G, Curatar 5G, Sunfaran 5G,

Furasan 5G etc. @ 40 ka/ha should be applied on both side of sugarcane line in the

shallow furrow made by plough and covered with soil. After insecticide

application, irrigation should be applied. It is very effective in controlling white

grub and it has phytotonic effect on plant.

• Insecticide should be applied in March-April.

Termites

Termite is also a serious pest of sugarcane. It attacks sugarcane right from planting to

harvest. After planting of sett, termite attack on it and eat the whole sett as a result

gappy stand occur in the field. In the later stage it attacks the root system and stem of

the sugarcane. Sometimes cane filled with moist soil inside the papery rind is displayed.

Sugarcane plant dries up due to attack of termite.

Control measures:

• The termiterium should be destroyed and the queen of termite should be killed.

• Sugarcane sett should be planted in the deep trenches.

White grub infested plant and

adult of white grub

• Setts should be placed in zig-zag method.

• Planting sugarcane through spaced transplantation method.

• Using food trap (jute stick or Dhaincha inside the earthen pot and killing the

termites).

• Sett treatment with insecticides like Gauchu 70 WS (0.2%) or with 0.1% of Cruser

70 WS before planting.

• Application of insecticides under Fipronil group like Regent 3 GR, Guly 3 GR @

16.66 kg/ha on the setts after placement in the furrow.

1.4 Harvesting and production

Sugarcane should be harvested after attaining proper maturity because both yield and

sugar percentage depends on maturity. Maturity symptoms

Sugarcane is affected by a good number of diseases in Bangladesh. Forty (40)

sugarcane diseases have so far been identified in the country. Of them seed piece

transmissible diseases like red rot, smut, white leaf, ratoon stunting etc. causes

maximum damage to crops in terms of yield and juice quality. Overall 20% losses of

cane are caused by different diseases.

Major diseases and control measures:

Red Rot disease

Red rot is the most serious diseases of sugarcane in Bangladesh. It is a fungal

disorder and has worldwide distribution. The pathogen attacks the stalk as a result the

infected plant initially display a

yellowing of 3rd a n d 4 th l e a f a n d

gradually the whole crown become

yellow and ultimately dries up. Splitting

open of the infected stalk display a red

discolouration intercepted by white

patches symptoms. Due to infection of

red rot, sugarcane plant dries up causing drastic reduction of weight of cane and

sugar. In case of severe infection losses of sugarcane may go as high as 100%.

Intercropping Potato

with Sugarcane

Intercropping Onion (bulb)

with Sugarcane

Intercropping Wheat in

Paired row Sugarcane

Infected field Stalk red rot

2nd Intercrop-Mungbean in

Paired Row Sugarcane

Control measures:

• Use of red rot resistant varieties like Isd 2/54, Isd 16, Isd 19, Isd 20, Isd 34, Isd 37,

Isd 38, Isd 39, Isd 40.

• Avoid water logging condition in the field.

• Avoid ratooning of diseased crop.

• Follow crop rotation with green manure crops.

• Use heat treated seed materials or their successive generation. Sugarcane seed

(sett) treatment by moist hot air at 54ºC with above 95% relative humidity (RH)

for 4 hours is effective in eradicating red rot pathogen in the sett.

• Controlling sugarcane stem borer becauseit is a carrier of red rot pathogen.

Seed Transmissible Diseases

Major seed transmissible diseases are smut (C.O. Ustilago

scitaminea), white leaf (C.O. Phytoplasma), Grassy shoot

(C.O. Phytoplasma) and ratoon stunting (C.O. Clavibacter

xyli). Smut infected plant display of producing whip like

structure from the crown with narrow and erect leaf.

White leaf infected plant shows dwarf growth with albino

leaves. Grassy shoot infected plant display grassy

appearance with numerous tillers. The ratoon stunting

disease affected plant display stunting growth with

pinkish/orange spots at the internal nodal tissues. All these

disease are very much destructive. Due to these diseases in

severe cases the yield of cane could be reduced up to 75%.

Control measures:

• Smut, white leaf and grassy shoot diseases could be controlled successfully by

treating seed materials in moist hot air at 54ºC with above 95% RH for 4 hours and

rouging of infected plants.

• Ratoon stunting disease can be controlled by treating seed materials in hot water at

50ºC for 3 hours.

Soil borne diseases

Some soil borne fungi such as Ceratocystis paradoxa, Fusarium sp. etc. causes sett

rot and induces germination failure.

Control measures:

• To protect setts from the attack of these fungi some

fungicides have been recommended. They are:

Bavistin-50WP, Knowin 50WP, Genuine 50WP,

Headazim 50WP, Seadazim 50WP, Corogim-50WP,

Edvistin-50WP, Forastin-50WP, Agridazim-50WP,

Aimcozim-50WP and Avistin-50WP. Sugarcane setts

are to be treated in 0.01% (1 gm in 1 litre water) of any

of the above fungicide for 30 minutes before planting.

Pineapple disease (Sett rot)

infected sugarcane sett

Smut infected sugarcane plant

White leaf infected clump

Sugarcane nematodes

Nematodes occurring in the sugarcane root environment are

under the genera of Meloidogyne spp, Hoplolaimus spp,

Helicotylenchus s p p , Tylenchorhynchus spp and

Pratylenchus spp. In sugarcane, the symptoms developed

by nematodes resemble those caused by nutrient deficiency,

drought or other root disorders. Unthrifty appearances,

reduced rate of plant growth, stunting of growth etc. They

also act as predisposing agents, cooperators and infection

initiators of root infecting fungi.

Control measures:

• Nematicides (Furadan 5G, Rugby 10G, Alphafuran 5G) and Press mud were found

effective in controlling sugarcane nematodes. Furadan 5G @ 2kg a.i./ha, Rugby 10G

@ 2 kg a.i./ha, Alpataran 5G @ 2kg a.i./ha and press mud @ 20 tons per hectare

have been recommended to control sugarcane nematodes.

Root parasite

Striga densiflora is a serious root parasite of sugarcane.

The yield loss of sugarcane in the heavily striga infested

field may go as high as 100%. Due to striga infestation,

sugarcane plants die and disappear.

Control measures:

• Striga can be controlled successfully by applying urea

@ 395 kg/ha in 3 (three) installments- 1/3 rd during

planting, 1/3rd during the month of April and the rest

1/3rd during May. Striga plants can be controlled within 24 hrs by spraying 5%

urea solution (5 kg urea in 100 litre water) during sunny day.

Integrated Disease Management (IDM)

Actually no single method is effective in controlling different diseases. Most of the

important diseases of sugarcane can be effectively controlled by integration of

various control approaches. The integrated control approaches are:

• Selection of medium high and high lands for sugarcane cultivation.

• Selection of disease resistant varieties.

• Selection of disease free healthy seed materials.

• Heat therapy of seed materials (sett treatment in moist hot air at 54oC with above

95% RH for 4 hours or in hot water at 50oC for 3 hours).

• Chemical treatment of seed pieces with Bavistin 50WP (0.1%) or with similar

fungicides, and

• Rouging of diseased clumps as and when detected.

Root knot disease

Striga infested sugarcane field

Major insects and their control measures:

Sugarcane Insects

About 70 insects and pests have so far been identified in the country and of them 7-8

insects are very much destructive.It is observed that about 20% yield loss of

sugarcane occurred every year due to insect infestation.

Early shoot borer

The borer larvae enter the plants laterally by one or

more holes in the stalk and bore downwards as well

as upwards killing the growing point, thereby cutting

off the central leaf spindle which dries up forming a

dead heart that can be pulled out easily. The cut off

portion inside the bored plant rots and the dead heart

emits an offensive odour on being pulled out.

Control measures:

• Use of resistant variety.

• Early planting.

• Early shoot borer infested plant is to be cut down at the bottom level and larvae

inside plant are to be the destroyed.

• Application of insecticides under Carbofuran group like Furadan 5G, Furafuran

5G, Curatar 5G etc. @ 40 kg/ha at the root zone of sugarcane and to be covered

with soil. After application of insecticide light irrigation is to be applied.

Top Shoot Borer

Female moth of top shoot borer lays egg under side

of sugarcane leaf. It looks like yellowish cotton

mass. Within 6-15 days larvae comes out from egg

and enter into the top of the cane through mid rib

and destroy the top portion of cane. The larva bores

its way to the central core of the spindle through the

unfolded leaves, and as a result rows of shot-holes

become visible when the leaves unfold. Burnt dead heart occur when the larvae cuts

the growing point. In the grown up canes, the infestation results in dead heart which

induces sprouting of the lateral buds giving bunchy top appearance.

Control measures:

• Collection of moth and egg mass of top shoot borer by hand and their destruction

(January to June). It is easy, protective and environment friendly.

• Top shoot borer affected sugarcane plants are to be cut just below the attacking

point and the larva inside the plants (January to June) destroyed. It is easy, curative

and environment friendly. It should be done in a body in all sugarcane plots.

Early shoot borer affected plant

Top shoot borer affected plant

• Granular insecticides like Furadan 5G, Curatar 5G, Sunfuran 5G, Furataf 5G etc.

(Carbofuran insecticides) are to be applied @ 40 kg/ha on both sides of sugarcane

line in the shallow furrow made by plough and covered with soil. After application

of insecticides, light irrigation is to be applied. If sufficient moisture remains in the

soil, no need of irrigation. The insecticides must be applied in of March to May if

infestation levels cross above 5%. It is an effective (above 80%) and phytotonic

insecticides which helps in the growth of sugarcane.

Stem borer

Stem borer is the most serious pest of sugarcane. Due to

its attack 8-70% yield loss of cane may occur. As the

larva feed inside the internodes, excreta of insects are

pushed to the exterior through the bore holes in the top

internodes. Top leaves of infested cane dry completely.

Tunneling of internodes is so severe that the dried top

portion of the cane easily breaks off at the attacking

point. Sett roots are formed in the infested internodes and

envelope the stalk in a network of root hairs. The lateral buds also sprout.

Control measures:

• Primary infested cane should be cut down just below the affected point and

destroying the larvae.

• Remove the older leaves of sugarcane. It reduces the infestation level of stem borer.

• Application of insecticides under Cartaf 4G group like Padan 4G, Sidan 4G, Rajex 4G,

Sundan 4G @ 75 kg/ha on both sides of sugarcane line near the root zone are to be

made and covered with soil. It is effective in controlling stem borers at least by 80%.

Root stock borer

Rootstock borer is a serious pest of sugarcane

which causes yield loss of cane by 2-73%. It attacks

during May-October. Rootstock borer generally

infests the young shoots. When its infestation

occurs during the early stage of crop growth, dead

hearts are formed. But in the grown up canes, no

external symptoms is discernible except yellowing of leaves.The canes have to be

dug out to detect its attack. The dead heart can not be pulled out easily and often, in

the process the plant gets pulled out, with the larva either hanging out at the broken

end of the shoot or remaining partly inside the underground portion and partly

protruding outside.

Control measures:

• Root stock borer affected plants should be uprooted and the larvae of insects in the

tunnel of root stock should be destroyed.

Stem borer affected plant

Root stock borer affected plant

• Stubble burning after harvest of cane: After harvest of cane the stubble should be

uprooted, dried and burnt in the field. It is very much effective in controlling root

borer.

• If the infestation level cross above 5% then insecticides under Chloropyriphos

15G group like Lorseban 15G, Pyriban 15G, Nocoban 15G etc. @ 15 kg/ha or

Rugby 10G @ 20 ka/ha should be applied in the root zone on both sides of

sugarcane line and covered with soil.

• During application of insecticides, there should be sufficient moisture in the soil or

after insecticide application irrigation should be applied in the field. It is effective

in controlling rootstock borer and it has phytotonic effects.

White grubs

The grubs feed on the roots while the adults feed on

foliage of tree and shrubs.Uneven growth in the field

is observed. It also shows drying of crown, preceded

by yellowing and wilting of leaves; roots are eaten

away. Ultimately, the affected shoot/cane dries

up.High incidence is observed in February-July.

Control measures:

• Beetle of white grub living on jackfruit, mango,

guava trees etc. should be controlled by light

trap or by hand net and destroyed.

• Land should be deep ploughed and open in the sun for 3-4 days to kill the grubs.

• Early planting of sugarcane is recommended.

• Affected land should be made stagnant with water for 5-7 days.

• Insecticides under Carbofuran group like Furadan 5G, Curatar 5G, Sunfaran 5G,

Furasan 5G etc. @ 40 ka/ha should be applied on both side of sugarcane line in the

shallow furrow made by plough and covered with soil. After insecticide

application, irrigation should be applied. It is very effective in controlling white

grub and it has phytotonic effect on plant.

• Insecticide should be applied in March-April.

Termites

Termite is also a serious pest of sugarcane. It attacks sugarcane right from planting to

harvest. After planting of sett, termite attack on it and eat the whole sett as a result

gappy stand occur in the field. In the later stage it attacks the root system and stem of

the sugarcane. Sometimes cane filled with moist soil inside the papery rind is displayed.

Sugarcane plant dries up due to attack of termite.

Control measures:

• The termiterium should be destroyed and the queen of termite should be killed.

• Sugarcane sett should be planted in the deep trenches.

White grub infested plant and

adult of white grub

• Setts should be placed in zig-zag method.

• Planting sugarcane through spaced transplantation method.

• Using food trap (jute stick or Dhaincha inside the earthen pot and killing the

termites).

• Sett treatment with insecticides like Gauchu 70 WS (0.2%) or with 0.1% of Cruser

70 WS before planting.

• Application of insecticides under Fipronil group like Regent 3 GR, Guly 3 GR @

16.66 kg/ha on the setts after placement in the furrow.

1.4 Harvesting and production

Sugarcane should be harvested after attaining proper maturity because both yield and

sugar percentage depends on maturity. Maturity symptoms