ASSESSMENT OF SUGARCANE VARIETAL DAMAGE FROM FIELD RATS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN SINDH

Abstract

Sugarcane crop is highly vulnerable to attack by a complex of rodent pest species due to its long duration, providing excellent protective cover for field rats to feed and thrive throughout the  year. Damage survey conducted at crop maturity stage (September-November) at Palejo Farm, Thatta revealed that BL-4 variety was heavily attacked due to its softness (10.40%) followed by BF-129 variety (8.63%) and least affected was Thatta-10 variety (6.62%). Rat damaged cane become further infested with other micro-organism and physical stress, resulting in reduction in weight and sugar recovery. Rodent control trials through application of PARC Rat bait formulations containing Zinc Phosphide (2%), Bromadiolone (0.005%) and Brodifacoum (0.005%) alongwith additive (Egg 3%) showed remarkable reduction in pest population. Brodifacoum mixed bait emerged as highly effective formulation showing 92.63% reduction in pest population followed by Bromadiolone bait (89.02%) and Zinc phosphide bait (83.54%). For effective management of field rodents, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is recommended with combination of mechanical, chemical and habitat manipulation practice to enhance the crop yield through effective rat pest management.