Assessment of woolly aphid impact on growth, yield and quality parameters of sugarcane

Abstract

The impact of woolly aphid Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner (Homoptera: Aphididae) attack in five / six month old sugarcane on growth, yield and quality parameters of the crop was assessed in two field trials (cv. Co 86032) in 2004-05 and one trial (cv. Co 7219) in 2006-07. The effect on linear growth was assessed by measuring the incremental growth of benchmarked canes with and without woolly aphid attack at fortnight intervals. The mean aphid intensity rating per leaf on individual canes was recorded alongside in one trial to relate it to cane growth. At harvest, the weight of marked canes were recorded and juice and jaggery analysis for various parameters was performed. In the first trial (cv. Co 86032) with aphid attack in fifth month, incremental growth in infested canes was on par with that in healthy canes. In the second trial (cv. Co 86032) with aphid attack in the sixth month, incremental growth was lower in infested canes in most fortnights. In the third trial (cv. Co 7219) with aphid attack in sixth month, incremental growth was significantly lower in infested canes in the initial stages whereas in the later stages the differences became nonsignificant. Aphid abundance in the early stage and its subsequent abrupt disappearance showed correspondence with the observed pattern in incremental growth. While differential effect on cane and juice weight in the first two trials suggested the role of crop age at the time of attack, the results of the second year study indicated the possible effect of aphid intensity. Higher brix and sucrose% in infested canes in the second trial suggested possible effect of sap feeding on their concentration. Inconsistently higher phenols in infested canes did not positively suggest their role as induced resistant factors. Jaggery analysis did not show definite trends in different trials.

Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Trichoderma Isolates against Sugarcane Woolly Aphid, Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

“…With continuous infestation and sap sucking from the leaves, the plants will wilt and dry up from the tip downwards. This will eventually lead to the reduction of the length, girth, and weight of the sugarcane, as well as the quality, yield, and sugar content [2,3].…”

Loss of cane and sugar yield resulting from Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner damage in cane-growing regions in China

“…Understanding the effect of C. lanigera damage on losses in cane yield and sugar content is therefore important. Previous research suggests variation in the dynamics of C. lanigera , and therefore, the damage intensity and cane yield and sugar content losses at different times, under different planting systems and different production levels (Gupta & Goswami, 1995; Patil et al, 2004; Mukunthan et al, 2008; Padul et al, 2008; Tatagar & MohanKumar, 2010). Researching the losses in real cane yield and sugar yield as well as the effect on emergence of newly planted and ratoon cane under existing production levels will therefore provide a theoretical basis and detailed data for scientifically-based control of C. lanigera.…”

Biotechnological Interventions for the Improvement of Sugarcane Crop and Sugar Production

“…Annual loss of $10-$20 million were estimated to sugar industry at Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas only by E. loftini. Similarly, wooly aphid (Ceratovacuna lanigera) has been estimated to cause 18.3% yield losses during sixth months [63]. Most of the sugarcane cultivars growing in the field are outcomes of hybridization and selection.…”