Sugarcane Crops are at Risk this Month: Protect Your Crop from Black Bug Disease

Key Highlights

• Protect sugarcane crops from black bugs and Kadua disease during April-June.
• Timely identification and preventive measures are crucial.
• Ensure field hygiene and use resistant varieties.
• Chemical treatments may be necessary in serious cases.

Farmers cultivating sugarcane fields must be observant in the months from April to June, as this is the time when sugarcane crops are vulnerable to diseases. Among these threats, the black bug, also known as black bug disease, poses a significant risk to sugarcane crops. Awareness and timely action can save crops from the disastrous effects of this insect-borne disease.

Identifying the Black Bug Insect and Its Impact

The black bug insect primarily affects sugarcane fields, often seen on the sugarcane paddy where it feeds by sucking juice from the leaves. This feeding behavior causes the crop to appear yellow from a distance, ultimately leading to a reduction in yield by 10 to 15 percent.

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Preventive Measures Against Black Bug Infestation

To combat black bug infestations, farmers can employ preventive measures. One method is to apply Verticillium lacani 1.15 percent WP. This should be mixed in 400-500 liters of water at a rate of 2.5 kg per hectare and sprayed in the evening every 15 days as needed. Additionally, farmers can also opt for chemical control using pesticides such as Chlorpyrifos 20 percent EC or Kunalphos 25 percent EC.

Beware of Kadua Disease

Besides the black bug, there's an impending threat of Kadua disease, also known as whip kadua, in sugarcane crops during this period. Understanding this disease and taking timely preventive measures can mitigate potential crop losses.

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Understanding Kadua Disease and Prevention Methods

Kadua disease manifests in sugarcane leaves, causing them to become thin and pointed with elongated pores. Black stalks may appear on affected sugarcanes, hosting numerous fungus spores. Prevention strategies include sowing resistant sugarcane varieties, selecting healthy seeds from disease-free fields, and ensuring proper field drainage. Moreover, affected areas should be uprooted and destroyed, and the field should be deeply plowed post-harvest. In severe cases, chemical measures such as treating the seed set with MEMC 6 percent can be considered before sowing.

By staying informed and implementing these preventive measures, farmers can safeguard their sugarcane crops against the black bug and Kadua disease, ensuring a healthy harvest and minimizing losses.

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CMV360 Says

Protecting sugarcane crops from black bug disease and Kadua disease is crucial for farmers during the vulnerable months of April to June. Timely identification, preventive measures, and awareness are key to minimizing crop losses, ensuring a healthy harvest, and sustaining agricultural livelihoods.