Yield and technological quality of sugarcane cultivars under infestation of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr., 1794)

Abstract

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr., 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the main pests of sugarcane. This pest can reduce the quality and yield of the crop. Information on the quality and yield of cultivars in relation to the attack of sugarcane borer are necessary, since they guide the choice of the best materials for use in joint with other management tactics. Two field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to compare the quality and yield of 16 commercial sugarcane cultivars (IACSP93-3046, IACSP94-2094, IACSP94-2101, IAC91-1099, IACSP95-5000, IAC87-3396, RB92579, RB867515, RB966928, CTC2, CTC4, CTC9, CTC11, CTC15, CTC18 and SP86-0042) relative to the natural infestation of D. saccharalis. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. There was no difference between treatments for infestation index, with averages of 1.2 to 8.7% of bored internodes. Higher percentages of internodes with red rot were observed for CTC9, CTC2 and RB966928. The cultivars CTC4 and RB92579 infested with D. saccharalis resulted in lower technological quality, due the reduction in the contents of brix, apparent sucrose content (POL) and purity; and increase of the reducing sugars and, consequently, lower theoretically recoverable sugar (TRS). On the other hand, the lowest yields (t of cane ha-1) were observed for CTC18, IACSP94-2094, IACSP94-2101 and RB966928. Therefore, according to the hierarchical cluster analysis (UPGMA), the cultivars RB867515, CTC11, IAC91-1099, CTC15, SP86-0042, CTC2 and IACSP94-3046 were resistant to D. saccharalis.

Genetic parameters and selection of sugarcane for borer resistance in the advanced selection stage

“…In addition, there was a high coincidence between the genotypes selected by the selection index and the genotypes selected for TSH (coincidence coefficient = 83.33%), which is the main trait targeted in sugarcane breeding and reflects the yield of the main product of the sugarcane crop. We highlighted the consistency of the selection index by the fact that the control variety RB867515, which is known to have high borer resistance level (Ferreira et al 2018) and high TBH (Bastos et al 2007, Silveira et al 2012, was selected using the designed selection index.…”

Bioactivity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) on Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) eggs

“…Bt toxicity is related to protein toxins produced during stages III and V of sporulation 14–18 . Certain strains are able to synthesize up to eight different toxins 19 .…”

“…14 These microorganisms, as well as their toxins, have been used for controlling various insects, including the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis. 15,16 Bt toxicity is related to protein toxins produced during stages III and V of sporulation. [14][15][16][17][18] Certain strains are able to synthesize up to eight different toxins.…”

“…15,16 Bt toxicity is related to protein toxins produced during stages III and V of sporulation. [14][15][16][17][18] Certain strains are able to synthesize up to eight different toxins. 19 The protein toxins are stored in their inactive forms in the cytoplasm of the mother cell and are released into the environment along with the spores following disruption of the cell wall.…”

Comparative gut transcriptome analysis of Diatraea saccharalis in response to the dietary source

“…The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a specialist herbivorous and a devastating pest that exhibits chewing behavior [ 17 ]. It causes economic impacts in sugarcane crops across the American continent [ 18 , 19 ], especially in Brazil, the world’s largest sugarcane producer, where infestations interfere with the quality of the raw material and reduce the yield and quality of the sugar and ethanol [ 20 ]. The available genomic data of D .…”