Ratooning ability and its relationship among yield, quality and lesser sugarcane borer (Chilo agamemnon Bels.) in sugarcane germplasm

Abstract

This study was conducted at El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station, Luxor Governorate, Egypt (latitude of 25.17° N and longitude of 32. 33°E) on three sugar crop cycles 2017/18 (plant cane crop), 2018/19 (the first ratoon) and 2019/20 (the second ratoon) to screen sugarcane genotypes for yield, quality and borer resistance, also estimates the relationship among agronomical and pathological traits based on principal components biplot analysis. Results revealed that significant differences among sugarcane genotypes in susceptibility to the lesser sugarcane borer, Chilo agamemnon infestation measured as bored stalk%, bored joints %, girdled stalks%, mean no. holes/joint, mean no. holes/bored joint and mean no. holes/stalk in the three studied seasons. In plant cane and first ratoon seasons the genotype L 62-96 exhibited the highest bored stalk %. While, in the second ratoon, the genotype G.T.54-9 was recorded the highest bored stalk %. Three genotypes (F. 150, M 57-35 and G. 2008-20) were the most tolerant in plant cane season recording the lowest bored stalk%. While, in the 1 st ratoon season, EH88/5-27 and SP72-5181 genotypes were recording lowest bored stalk%. Meanwhile, in the 2 nd ratoon season, SP 81-3250, F. 150, F 161 and G. 2007-61 genotypes were recording lowest bored stalk% respectively.

Stem borer herbivory dependent on interactions of sugarcane variety, associated traits, and presence of prior borer damage

“…For instance, in a study of Egyptian sugarcane across three crop years, yield (a combination of biomass and sugar production) differed with plant age and variety, as did susceptibility to the lesser sugarcane borer ( Chilo agamemnon Błeszyński; Lepidoptera: Crambidae) 109 . This study found that the varieties with the greatest borer damage in plant cane were not the same varieties that had the most damage in the first or second ratoons 109 …”

“…The age‐associated differences in herbivory between plant cane and ratoons seen in other studies may be due, in part, to changes in plant physiology and related defenses such as stalk density, biochemical composition, and ripening rate (sugar accumulation) of particular varieties grown in those countries 107,108 . For instance, in a study of Egyptian sugarcane across three crop years, yield (a combination of biomass and sugar production) differed with plant age and variety, as did susceptibility to the lesser sugarcane borer ( Chilo agamemnon Błeszyński; Lepidoptera: Crambidae) 109 . This study found that the varieties with the greatest borer damage in plant cane were not the same varieties that had the most damage in the first or second ratoons 109 …”