Pest Management in Sugarcane Crop using UAL Organic Based Products

Sugarcane grows for a long period of 10-12 months and is therefore susceptible to many insect attacks. Insect infestation can lower sugarcane yield by 20-25%, as per an estimate. More than 200 insects can damage sugarcane, such as Early Shoot Borer, Internode Borer, Top Shoot Borer, Termite, Whitefly, Scale Insect and Root Grub. Out of them, around 12 insects can affect both the amount and quality of the crop severely. Modern agriculture is also harmed by weather events caused by climate change, excessive use of pesticides, and the fast exhaustion of natural resources. Biocontrol action is a key tool for integrated pest management (IPM), as it offers more eco-friendly and health-friendly options than conventional methods.

List of Pest

1. Early Shoot Borer
2. Internode Borer
3. Top Shoot Borer
4. Whitefly
5. Scale Insect
6. Root Grub

1. Early Shoot Borer

Scientific name: Chilo infuscatellus snellen

Most Affected Plant Part: Sets

Symptoms of Early Shoot Borer

• In 1-3 month old crops, dead hearts are visible and are freely removed.
• The caterpillar causes a dead heart by boring into the central shoot and feeding on the interior tissue.
• The straw-colored shoot’s rotted section releases an unpleasant smell.
• Several boreholes just above ground level at the base of the shoot.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

2. Internode Borer

Scientific name: Chilo sacchariphagus indicus

Most Affected Plant Part: Sets

Symptoms of Internode Borer

• Three months after planting, caterpillars attack sugarcane plants.
• Shorted and constricted internodes with several boreholes
• In the nodal region, boreholes are filled with freshly excreted material.
• There are debris fragments on the impacted area.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

3. Top Shoot Borer

Scientific name: Scirpophaga excerptalis

Most Affected Plant Part: Sets

Symptoms of Top Shoot Borer

• Caterpillars are primarily located in the apical section of canes, where they bore through the growth point, down the top joints, and into the stem’s sticky part.
• A dead heart that makes mature canes difficult to pluck.
• The larva entered the unfolded leaves, revealing a row of parallel shot holes in the developing leaves.
• Shows a bunchy top appearance with bore holes at the top of the shoot.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

4.Whiteflies

Scientific name: Aleurolobus barodensis

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaf

Symptoms of Whiteflies

• Yellowing of the leaves, which later turns pale
• The leaf becomes pink or purple, then dries out over time.
• Infested leaves have black and white spots on leaves.
• In extreme circumstances, it appears fiery.
• The growth of plants seems to be quite slow.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

5. Scale Insects

Scientific name: Melanaspis glomerata

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaf and setts

Symptoms of Scale insect

• Severe infestation results in yellowing, and the leaves of infested canes exhibit symptoms of tip drying and an unhealthy pale green color.
• When leaves are severely dried out, they stop opening, turn yellow.
• Cane eventually dries up; infested crop loses its vigor; canes shrink; growth is stunted; the inter nodal length is substantially shortened. When cut open, these canes have a reddish-brown color.
• In badly afflicted canes, thick brown encrustations are observed on the nodal and inter nodal areas.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

6. White Grub

Scientific name: Holotrichia consanguinea

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaf roots and shoots

Symptoms of White grub

• Wilting and yellowing of the foliage. The whole crown is being dried.
• When pulled, affected canes break off with ease. Significantly harm the roots and shoot base. Affected canes exhibit field lodging.
• When compared to plant crops, damage to ratoon crops is more noticeable.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

Products

Biopesticides are more eco-friendly than conventional pesticides because they are pesticides that are obtained from natural sources, such as microorganisms, plants, oils, and minerals. They are safer, more specific, and more biodegradable than synthetic pesticides. They usually affect only the target pest and closely related organisms, unlike broad spectrum, conventional pesticides that may harm organisms as well as birds, insects, and mammals. For sugarcane crops, biopesticides can be used to control various pests. Biopesticides can also improve the soil quality and crop productivity of sugarcane. Here are the best organic products from the UAL brand.

1. Xymo Ultra Spectrum
2. Xymo Bugtrol
3. Xymo Thymox
4. Zymo Max Spread
5. Zymo Canemax 

1. Xymo Ultra Spectrum: This is available in liquid formation, which is a combination of Botanical extracts / Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients. 

• Plant extracts present in it increase plant SAR (Systemic Acquired Resistance). This bio pesticide is recommended for all crops against all three types of borers and termite os sugarcane. 
• It mainly targets the larval stage of insects which hampers movement/flying and feeding by paralyzing the nervous system of insects. 
• Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Xymo Max Spread are sprayed as a preventive measure for the control of Early and Top Shoot borer.
• After the incidence of pests, Xymo Bugtrol + Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Zymo Max Spread are sprayed  as a curative measure for the control of whiteflies and scale insects. If the disease is severe, take a second spray at a 5-7 days interval. 
• Xymo Ultra Spectrum alone is sprayed against white grub of sugarcane. 

2. Xymo Bugtrol: This is available in liquid formation. Product is a unique combination of Botanical extracts / Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients. 

• Major benefits of Xymo Bugtrol is that it is very effective on all types of insects and it works as a broad-spectrum pesticide. 
• This bio pesticide is recommended for all crops and mainly targets white grub, scale insect and termites and sugarcane.
• Mode of Action is Paralyse the nervous system and hampers movement/flying and feeding. 
• Xymo Bugtrol + Xymo Max Spread is sprayed immediately after the incidence of the white flies and Scale insect.
• Take two sprays of Xymo Bugtrol +  Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Xymo Max Spread is sprayed against Early, Top, Internode borer, Whiteflies and Scale as a curative measure, whereas, Xymo Bugtrol +  Xymo Ultra Spectrum sprayed against Termite and White grub.

3. Zymo Thymox :It is a concentrated broad spectrum organic fungi & bacteria controlling agent. Product contains a selective combination of Botanical extracts concentrate, Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients.

• Zymo Thymox is an effective biopesticide against bacterial spect and Fusarium wilt diseases.
• Soil drenching of Xymo Ultra Spectrum+ Xymo Thymox against White grub as Preventive measure, if necessary take 1-2 spray at an interval of 3-5 weeks. 
• These are recommended immediately after the disease incidence, if the diseases are in a severe stage take another spray at an interval of 5-7 days with  1 to 2 ml/lit.

4. Xymo Max Spread: This is available in liquid form, which is helpful for uniform spreading of biopesticide on sprayed areas.

• This can be used for all pests of sugarcane. It breaks down the surface tension of water and increases the wetting and spreading of a spray solution.
• It can also be used in combination with other products from UAL, it is a super spreader used in agriculture to increase the efficiency of all spray solutions and for soil applications.
• The dosage depends on the mode of application. For tank mix solution, it is recommended to use 0.10 ml / L of water (i.e. 10 ml / 100 L). For drip irrigation, it is suggested to use 25 ml / 200 L of water / acre.

5. Zymo Canemax : Zymo canemax is a powder form product that is used as a soil enhancer in areas where sugarcane crops are grown. It has soil enhancers such as Non-GMO soil probiotics, prebiotics, stabilizers, macro & micro-nutrients. 

• Zymo CaneMax Boosts the population of soil microflora. 
• Zymo CaneMax Speeds up the breakdown of Organic Matter. 
• Zymo CaneMax Increases the amount of HUMUS / CARBON in the soil.

Certification: UAL manufactures and markets organic bio-solutions under the brand names ZYMO® and XYMO® series, which are certified by various international and national standards for organic agriculture, which are certified by various international and national standards for organic agriculture, such as OMRI,  ECOCERT EU, JAS, NOP, and NPOP. UAL is not only committed to providing organic and eco-sustainable solutions, but also to maintaining the highest standards of quality and environment management systems.