Effect of Plant Factors, Sugar Contents, and Control Methods on the Top Borer (Scirpophaga nivella F.) Infestation in Selected Varieties of Sugarcane

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) varieties CP‐43/33 and L‐118 susceptible, BF‐162 and SPSG‐26 resistant while CP‐72/2086 as intermediate were screened for studies on top borer, Scirpophaga nivella Fabricus (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera). Morpho‐physio chemical plant factors as well as quality of sugar were examined to elucidate the relationship between pest infestations. The observations on leaf thickness 0.735* and moisture contents 0.771* showed positive and significant correlation with the pest infestation at tillering stage. Total minerals, manganese and copper contents did not show significant correlation with the pest infestation, whereas nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium and ferrous contents manifested positive and significant correlation with the pest infestation. Phosphorous, carbohydrates, fats and zinc produced significant and adverse effect on the pest infestation at tillering stage. Zinc contents with contrasting behaviors appeared to be the most important character with co‐efficient value of 0.764 followed by ferrous with positive sign. The effect of borer infestation was significantly negative on pol (sucrose), Brix contents (total soluble solids), and CCS (commercial cane sugar). The coefficient of determination value was 0.821, obtained by computing fiber content, pol, Brix and CCS factors together for multivariate regression models. Application of trash mulching at the time of sowing proved to be the most effective treatment with minimum infestation (3.91%) of borer and maximum protection level (62.87%) followed by Furadan®, removal of dead hearts + spike thrust, hand collection of egg masses, and cutting of shoots at 15 days interval.

Morphological and chemical characteristics of tomato foliage as mechanisms of resistance to Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

“…Our study showed that high concentration of nitrogen, manganese and calcium increases fruit infestation and larval population density. This is similar to findings of Grafton-Cardwell and Ouyang (1996) who stated that high concentration of nitrogen and manganese increases the reproduction of predaceous mite, and Khaliq et al (2001) who reports the similar kind of relationship between calcium and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) infestation. Moreover, the decrease of concentration of zinc (Phelan et al, 1995) and magnesium (McKinnon et al, 1999) decreases the pest's oviposition.…”

Development of Mutants in Sugarcane through Callus Culture

“…2 Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. vegetative to reproductive phase are temperature range 25 to 33 0 C for 70 days, humidity 70 to 80% for 70 days, day length 11.5 to 12.5 hrs for 70 days. The low cane and sugar yields are attributed to many factors in which drought, salinity, insect pests and diseases are major constraints (Nasir et al 2000 andKhaliq et al 2005). Production of large number of disease-free seedlings during the planting season is laborious and time consuming.…”

Cyanosiphovirus S-ESS1 Infecting Marine <i>Synechococcus</i> (<i>Chroococcales</i>) Almost Shows No Genetic Relationship to Known Cyanosiphoviruses

“…In India, sugarcane is constrained with low productivity owing to sensitivity to salt, drought and biotic stresses (Nasir et al, 2000;Khaliq et al, 2005). Drought alone accounts about 17% potential yield loss.…”