Effect of granular insecticides against sugarcane stem borer (Chilo infuscatellus) and sugarcane root borer (Emalocera depresella) at district Mardan

To evaluate the effect of granular insecticides against sugarcane stem borer and root borer, a study was conducted on farmer's field at Shergarh, District Mardan during the cropping season of 2021. Sugarcane variety CP-77/400 was sown with a row to row distance and plant to plant distance of 24cm and 1cm respectively. Granular insecticides, Refree, Furadon, Ferterra, Virtako, Phorate and Rector super were applied once along with control. Results revealed that application of insecticides provided statistically significant results in comparison to the control and minimized infestation of borers. Minimum mean percent dead heart infestation (2.93), cumulative internode damage (3.01), maximum cane diameter (2.39 cm), cane weight (1.71 kg), cane length (2.56 m) were recorded for plots treated with rector super whereas maximum mean dead heart infestation (4.13), cumulative internode damage (6.01) and minimum cane diameter (2.14 cm), cane weight (0.91 kg), cane length (2.17 m) were recorded for plots treated with phorate. Maximum yield (56386 kg/ha) and cost benefit ratio (1: 75.04) was reported for plots treated with rector super whereas minimum yield (41857 kg/ha) and cost benefit ratio (1: 8.21) was recorded for phorate treated plots. Rector super was recorded as the most effective granular insecticide as compared to others treatments and therefore recommended to be incorporated in integrated pest management studies for effective management of sugarcane stem and root borers.