IMPACT OF AGROECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ON THE SUGARCANE STEMBORER

Abstract

Diatraea tabernella Dyar causes damage to the sugarcane stalks, causing internal perforations and reducing sugar production. The objective of this experiment was to determine the influence of diversity of agroecological zones within a locality on the percentage of bored internodes (% IB), parasitism and sugarcane production associated with the stemborer D. tabernella. The study was conducted from January 2015 to February 2017 with the commercial variety BT77-42, in three agroecological zones determined on the proximity of the planted sugarcane: Z1-Near water source, Z2-Within sugarcane field and Z3-Near mangrove. One hundred sugarcane stems were taken per treatment (3 hectares for each treatment). Each stem was longitudinally cut using a machete and the number of bored internodes were counted to determine the % IB, agronomic and sugar quality parameters were also measured in assigned periods. The three years average indicates that the zone with the least % IB during that period was the Z3-Near mangrove. The sugar production reduction was linked to the % IB. Cotesia flavipes Cameron was present during both harvesting and growing season; it was the most persistent parasitoid of D. tabernella (+30%). The sugarcane plantation with landscapes that mix diversity of agroecological zones could potentially have positive effects in the reduction of attacks by stemborers.