Efficacy of pest control strategies in Louisiana sugar cane: a preliminary survey

Abstract

SummaryAlthough the first or second clonal cuttings of heat-treated sugar cane were widely used for seed, differences were not detected among crop years or locations in the incidence of ratoon stunting disease. Sugar-cane mosaic virus (SCMV) disease was widespread in all areas surveyed; however, the plant cane crop had a lower incidence of SCMV than the first or the second ratoon crop. The estimated cane yield was increased approximately 19·4 t/ha by heat treatment during the 2-year survey period.The management system used to control the sugar-cane borer (SCB), Diatraea saccharalis (F.), was effective regardless of the crop year or area surveyed. Season-long SCB control was achieved by the use of two (1981) or three (1982) properly timed applications of insecticide and the use of a SCB moderately resistant variety resulting in an average of 6–9% bored sugar-cane internodes.Poor weed management, particularly with johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers.), accounted for much of the reduction in cane yield (P < 0·01); the estimated yields of the second ratoon crop were substantially altered, particularly those of farms surveyed in the Bayou Lafourche area.