Impact of Stem Borers Sesamia spp. (Lep.: Noctuidae) on Qualitative and Some Chemical Traits of Sugarcane Varieties in Iran

The sugarcane, one of the most profitable crops, has been cultivated for many years under diverse ecological conditions in tropical and subtropical regions. It is one of the most strategic and economic crops in southern of Iran. The pink stem borers, Sesamia spp. (Lep.: Noctuidae), are key and important insect pests on sugarcane crop that lead to direct and indirect damage to sugarcane yield. In the current study, we were assessed effect of stem borers, Sesamia spp. infestation on qualitative traits such as Pol, Brix, juice purity, recoverable sugar, and sugar per hectare, and some chemical criteria of the three commercial varieties of sugarcane, CP69-1062, CP48-103, and IRC99-02. The outputs indicated that most qualitative factors (Brix, Pol, juice purity, and recoverable sugar) and sugar yield affected by internodes bored levels due to Sesamia infestation. Sugar yield in the control (without bored internodes) on CP69-1062, CP48-103, and IRC99-02 varieties was 98.08, 96.61, and 47.73 kg/ton, respectively, that was statistically significant differences with other groups of bored internodes. Overall, the highest bored internode levels by Sesamia spp. had the lowest value on every qualitative trait. Among chemical criteria, the invert is one of most key indices to evaluation of sugarcane quality. This process is the chemical conversion of sucrose into glucose and fructose. In addition, the findings revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the invert values in different level on bored internodes by Sesamia infestation on CP69-1062, CP48-103, and IRC99-02 varieties. It is concluded that infestation internodes by Sesamia can be affected some qualitative and quantitative traits. Therefore, to control of Sesamia should be use integrated pest management such as apply of synthetic pheromone, utilize green traps, and use biological control and integrated field management including cultivate different commercial varieties, improvement of irrigation and drainage system, and timely harvest the crop.