Quantifying the effect of sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, injury on yield in conventional and bioenergy sugarcane and sorghum in Louisiana

Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Exhibit Hall 4 (Austin Convention Center)
Blake Wilson , Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
J.M. Beuzelin , Dean Lee Research Station, Louisiana State Univeristy, Alexandria, LA
Matt VanWeelden , Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
T.E. Reagan , Department of Entomology, Louisiana State Univeristy, Baton Rouge, LA
Replicated field studies were conducted in Avoyelles (2011 and 2012) and St. Mary Parish (2012 and 2013), LA to evaluate sugarcane borer infestations to conventional and bioenergy crops.  These included stemborer resistant (HoCP 85-845) and susceptible (HoCP 00-950) sugarcane cultivars, two energycane cultivars (L 79-1002 and HoCP 02-113), two high biomass sorghum cultivars (ES 5200 and ES5140), and a sweet sorghum (M81E).  Pest pressure from D. saccharalis in 2012 was > 5-fold higher in St. Mary than in Avoyelles Parish. Yield loss due to D. saccharalis in St. Mary Parish 2012 ranged from 5.8% (HoCP 02-113) to 26.1% (M81E). Simple linear regressions detected significant correlations between borer injury and yield loss (based on stalk weight) in all 7 varieties evaluated in St. Mary Parish.  This research suggests production of bioenergy crops in Louisiana will require active insect pest management to reduce yield losses from D. saccharalis infestations.
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