Development of screening technique for sugarcane tolerance to damage of white grub, Leucopholis irrorata Chevrolat

Issue Date

10-2004

Abstract

An innovative screening technique for sugarcane tolerance to damage of white grub, Leucopholis irrorata Chevrolat, was developed using five commercial sugarcane varieties, namely, PS-3, VMC 86-550, VMC 71-238, Phil 75-44 and CP-29-116. The various aspects considered in developing the technique were a) appropriate age of test plants; b) minimum number of test plants for variety; c) parameters for comparing varietal tolerance; d) appropriate level of grub infestation, and e) whether to conduct varietal evaluation in the field on screenhouse. Based on the results of parallel tests conducted in the field and in the screenhouse and on other pertinent field abbreviations, it would be more practical to conduct the screening for varietal tolerance to L. irrorata in a screenhouse. The screening procedure entails artificially infesting five 90 to 120 days old plants representing each test variety with five second instar grubs; covering base of the plant with nylon mesh; assessing above-ground damage symptoms two weeks later using the rating scale developed; measuring plant height and killing the grubs with systematic insecticide; taking similar data at weekly interval three more times; and comparing the improvement in damage symptoms above-ground (reflecting tolerance) among the test varieties. The 30-60 day old plants were the most susceptible to white grub damage that appropriate control strategies should be employed in the field. The timing of planting is very critical and should be scheduled, if possible, when the pest is not yet in the injurious stage. Six other while grub species were found in association with L. irrorata in the field. Modification of the screening procedure developed may be necessary if to be used for tolerance screening against white grub species other than L. irrorata.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

18

Issue

2

Page

166

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

LEUCOPHOLIS; SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM; PLANT PESTS; PEST RESISTANCE; PLANTING DATE; VARIETY TRIALS; FIELD EXPERIMENTATION

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