Management of rodents in sugarcane: rodenticide baiting

Professorial Chair Lecture

Metro Manila Commission Professorial Chair Lecture

Place

NCPC, College of Agriculture, UPLB

Date

8-12-1999

Abstract

The paper presents part of the studies under a crop protection research program contracted to the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) by PHILSURIN. The study is the first locally conducted area-wide trials covering the life span of sugarcane in the field.

Two baiting rates, using brodifacoum rodenticide (Klerat), were evaluated for efficacy in protecting growing canes. Three study sites (within 5 km of each other) in Pres. Roxas, Capiz, corresponding to three treatment levels, were identified: 1.) Hacienda Sta. Ana, which was baited at the rate of 200 baits/ha/spot application whenever rat activity was >10%; 2.) Hda, Ibaca, baited at the distributor's recommended rate of 40 baits/ha/application/month, starting from 3-7 month old canes; and, 3.) Cabug-cabug, the reference plot.

The study was conducted from April to December 1998. Data gathered for all sites were rat damage (before/at harvest), quantity of bait used and, rat activity index. The latter was computed as the average of two measurements, token baiting and active burrows. Rat damage estimates at harvest were further translated into % total sugar loss (TSL).

At harvest, mean rat damage in Sta. Ana (6.53%) was significantly lower than in Ibaca (10.35%), with both plots significantly different from Cabug-cabug (18.75%). However, there was no correspondence between lower rat activity and lower damage levels. These results indicated that the method used to quantify rat activity was not sensitive enough to reflect the actual rat population in the plots.

In terms of sugar loss, the average % TSL for Cabug-cabug was 5.77% or 4.317 piculs/ha; 1.49% or 1.115 piculs/ha for Sta. Ana; and 2.69% or 2.013 piculs/ha for Ibaca. This was further translated into monetary losses of 3,453.70 Php/ha/season, 891.85 Php/ha/season and 1,610.10 Php/ha/season, respectively.

The lower monetary losses in the baited plot were acheieved with rat control inputs of 723 Php/ha/season in Sta. Ana and 237 Php/ha/season in Ibaca. While the cost of control was lower in the latter, the incremental benefit due to rat control was higher in Sta. Ana (1,838.85 Php/ha/season) than in Ibaca (1,605.70 Php/ha/season).

Based on the results, the two baiting rates reduced losses in sugarcane yield. Since even the reference site (which only employed clean culture) showed decreased rat damage at harvest, it was suggested that baiting be done in conjunction with reduction of harborage (such as weeds and plant residues). Moreover, the suggested timing of application was starting with 4-mont old ratoon crops and new plantings at 5-6 months old.

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Language

English

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