Assess your understanding of effective pest control methods and major pest threats in sugarcane agriculture. Discover best practices, preventive approaches, and pest identification to boost crop yields.
Which of the following pests is most commonly associated with 'dead heart' symptoms in sugarcane plants?
Explanation: Early shoot borer bores into young stalks and causes the characteristic 'dead heart' symptom in sugarcane. Red spider mites cause leaf discoloration, not dead hearts. Root aphids feed below ground and don't produce this type of symptom. Rust fungus is a disease agent, not a pest causing dead hearts.
Which mechanical method is recommended for managing sugarcane stem borers on a field scale?
Explanation: Removing and destroying infested shoots helps reduce stem borer populations and prevents further spread. Neem oil is a biopesticide, not a mechanical method. Flooding may control some pests but is not effective for stem borers. Pheromone traps target adult pests, not infested shoots directly.
What is a key benefit of using Trichogramma wasps in sugarcane pest control?
Explanation: Trichogramma wasps lay their eggs inside pest eggs, killing them before they hatch, making them an effective biological control agent. They do not improve soil fertility, repel leafhoppers directly, or promote plant growth.
Which precaution is essential when applying chemical pesticides to manage sugarcane pests safely?
Explanation: Wearing protective clothing helps reduce the risk of pesticide exposure to humans. Spraying at noon may cause rapid evaporation or drift. Using higher than recommended doses or mixing with herbicides can be unsafe or ineffective.
Which practice is commonly included in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for sugarcane cultivation?
Explanation: Regular field monitoring enables early pest detection and targeted intervention, a central IPM component. Relying solely on one pesticide increases resistance risk. Burning residues or poor drainage are not recommended IPM practices.