Damage to crops by Microtermes najdensis (Isoptera, Macrotermitinae) in irrigated semi-desert areas of the Red Sea Coast. 2. Cotton in the Tokar Delta region of Sudan(Abstract. Microtermes najdensis is a major pest of cotton in the Tokar Delta of Sudan, where it causes damage by penetrating and hollowing the roots and entering the stems. Attack usually occurs late in the growing season. The efficacy of aldrin and less persistent insecticides was evaluated in a series of trials in different areas of the delta from 1982 to 1986. Plant mortality and yields varied widely among sites and years. Application of aldrin gave up to 132% increase in yield in some trials but in others no differences were detected. Treatment of seed with aldrin was more cost-effective than a planting-hole treatment. Residue levels (aldrin, dieldrin) were low in soil, cotton (seed, fibre and foliage), well water, and crops planted in plots treated with aldrin in previous seasons. Termite attack in trials of other insecticides was very low, and the efficacy of these could not be evaluated. There was no clear relationship between termite foraging activity and either plant mortality or yield.
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