The Latest Control Methods for Common Sugarcane Pests and Diseases
Sugarcane tastes sweet and is a fruit we enjoy,1 and it is also one of the main raw materials for making white sugar, with a very large planting area in our country. But during cultivation it is often troubled by many pests and diseases, which reduce sugarcane yield and quality. Below, Qinnongwang brings the control methods for common sugarcane pests and diseases. Let's take a look together.
1. Pineapple disease
Seeing this disease may make you feel puzzled: pineapple is a fruit, so how is it related to a disease? Actually, that is not the case. Pineapple disease is named pineapple disease because after sugarcane is infected, the sugarcane gives off a pineapple-like fragrance. It is caused by pathogenic fungi remaining in the soil. The fungi invade through the cut surface of the seed cane. When the disease begins, the cut surface of the seed cane turns red. As the disease worsens, the interior of the seed cane becomes fully infected and turns black. In mild cases, the seed cane grows thin and weak and develops poorly; in severe cases, it causes the seed cane to die.
Control methods: This disease occurs under low temperature and high humidity or long periods of rainy weather. Control methods should focus on prevention. Measures should be taken to make sugarcane germinate and emerge early, and chemicals should be used to disinfect and sterilize the cut surface of the seed cane. After the disease occurs, treat it promptly with chemicals.
2. Red rot
Red rot, like pineapple disease, is also caused by pathogenic fungi. It mainly harms the stem and leaves. In the early stage of the disease, it is relatively difficult to detect. It begins by forming white round patches in the internal tissues of the stem. As the disease worsens, the leaves begin to turn white and die.
Control methods: Red rot mainly occurs under high temperature and high humidity, high planting density, and excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer. Choose varieties with strong disease resistance. Before planting, first disinfect and sterilize the seeds. When diseased plants are found, promptly pull them out and destroy them, then spray chemicals for control.
3. Smut
Smut is a fungal disease. When it occurs, a black spike-like structure grows from the top of the stem. This black spike is short, straight, and unbranched. After sugarcane is infected with this disease, it grows slender, affecting yield.
Solutions: This disease occurs in dry and barren conditions or under high temperature and high humidity as well as in the rainy season, and it is mainly spread through the air. Choose varieties with strong disease resistance, soak the seeds in 0.5% methoxyethylmercury chloride for disinfection, and then plant them. After planting, strengthen fertilizer and water management, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote sugarcane growth and enhance disease resistance. When the disease is found, promptly pull out and burn the affected plants, immediately spray chemicals for control, and avoid continuous cropping.
4. Borers
Borers are also called sugarcane stem borers. They have extremely strong reproductive capacity and no obvious dormant period. They harm sugarcane in all four seasons, often boring into the interior of sugarcane, causing the sugarcane to become hollow, and in the seedling stage they easily cause dead hearts. Even after growth, the plants are extremely weak and very easy to break. Their damage also easily allows other diseases to invade, causing great harm to sugarcane.
Solutions: Borers can overwinter safely in sugarcane fields, so after harvest, promptly remove and burn all residual branches, leaves, and stems in the sugarcane field, then flood the field and soak it for 2-3 days to thoroughly eliminate the source of the pests. Disinfect the seed cane before planting. When pest damage is found, promptly remove the affected sugarcane or carry out chemical control.
The above are the control methods for common sugarcane pests and diseases brought by Qinnongwang. That is all for the introduction on sugarcane pests and diseases. The prevention and control of sugarcane pests and diseases should focus on prevention. Strengthen management at ordinary times to avoid losses when pests and diseases occur.