Major insect pests of Sorghum

06 January 2023, New Delhi: The three major pests of Sorghum are Shoot Fly, Stem Borer and Fall Army Worm.

It is a major pest of sorghum and infestation occurs during the seedling stage for up to one month. Maggots cut the growing point and feed on the decaying tissues. The infestation results in withering and drying of the central leaf, giving a typical “dead-heart” symptom. Broad Leaf Weed Killer For Lawns

It can be managed by early sowing within 7 to 10 days before the onset of monsoon and using a high seed rate @ 10 to 12 kg/ha in case of delayed sowing. Intercropping of sorghum + red gram in a 2:1 ratio should be followed. Seed treatment with Imidacloprid 70 WS @ 5ml/ kg or Thiamethoxam 70 WS @ 3 g/kg of seed may also be used. Soil application of Carbofuran 3G granules@ 20kg/ha in furrows at the time of sowing or spraying should be done at the seedlings stage.

It attacks the crop from 2ndweek after germination until crop maturity. Irregular-shaped holes on the leaves are caused by the early instar larvae feeding in the whorl. Drying of the central shoot giving “dead-heart” is observed and extensive stem tunneling is also found. Peduncle tunneling leads to the breaking of the peduncle, which results in complete or partial chaffy panicles.

Uproot and burn stubbles and chop off stems of the previous crop to prevent its carryover. Need-based whorl application of Carbofuran 3G @ 8-12 kg/ha inside the leaf-whorls of infested plants at 20 and 35 days after emergence reduce damage. Inter-cropping of sorghum with cowpea is also advised.

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a polyphagous pest feeding on over 100 recorded plant species belonging to 27 families. However, it prefers plants from the Gramineae family including many economically important plants such as maize, sorghum, millets, sugarcane, paddy, wheat, etc.

The young larvae (Ist to IInd instar) scrape both sides of the leaves skeletonizing the upper epidermis and leaving a silvery transparent membrane. The IIIrd instar larvae, larvae enter the whorl and inflict ragged-edged oblong holes on leaf lamina presenting ragged-edged holes. Once the larvae reach the fifth instar it feeds voraciously causing extensive defoliation of the whorl. On average 1-2 larvae were found in each whorl.

Following are the management options suggested to manage the pest.

Also Read: Outbreak of Tobacco Caterpillar on Wheat in Madhya Pradesh

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