Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. (2019). 6(1): 25-32 International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences ISSN: 2348-8069 www.ijarbs.com DOI: 10.22192/ijarbs Coden: IJARQG(USA) Volume 6, Issue 1 - 2019 Research Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2019.06.01.003 Identification of Natural Enemy in Stem Borers Complex in Sugar cane at Tendaho Sugar Factory, Ethiopia. Kidane T/Michael1*, Bayeh Mulatu2 and Mulugeta Negeri3 1Ethiopian Sugar Corporation, Research and Development, P. O. Box 15, Wonji, Ethiopia 2Ethiopia Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 3Department of Plant science, Ambo University, Ambo P. O. Box 19, Ethiopia *Corresponding Author: [email protected] Abstract Field study was conducted in Tendaho sugarcane plantation to identify the natural enemy of stalk borers under field condition using four commercial sugarcane varieties during 2013/14 cropping season. From 98 surveyed fields, a total of two different cotesia species were identified. the two species of natural enemy of stalk borers: Cotesia flavies and Cotesia sesamiae were recorded at Tendaho. Among these species, Cotesia flavies were the most dominant species. Among the different factors considered variety and cuttings had a significant effect on parasitism of stalk borer. Parasitism of stalk borer increased in the season. Among the different cuttings, ratoon had a significant variation in stalk borer larvae parasitism. Moreover, among the varieties, NCO334 had showed significant variation in percent parasitism of stalk borer larvae as compared to the other varieties in the plantation. as well as, in terms of percent parasitism of stalk borer larvae in the varieties B52/298, NCO334 and N14 showed no significant variation. The natural enemy complex and the level of parasitism recorded were high at the time of study. The percentage parasitism by Cotesia flavies and Cotesia sesamiae parasitoids was high, about 10.1 – 31.9%. Therefore further study and research work is needed to determine whether these impact on stem borer populations. Also due attention must be given to conserve the natural enemy. Keywords: Stem borers, parasitoids, sugarcane, parasitism Introduction Saccharum barberi L. and Saccharum sinense L., are Sugarcane, Saccharum spp. L. (Poaceae) is a perennial believed to have been derived through natural crop that is grown as a source of sugar primarily in the hybridization of S. officinarum with the wild tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including Saccharum spontaneumL. (Stevenson, 1965). several countries in Africa, the Mascarene Island and Sugarcane has been grown in gardens in New Guinea Madagascar (Overholt et al. 2003). The taxonomic since time immemorial (Pemberton and Williams, status and the origins of cultivated sugarcane varieties 1969) and cultivation of the crop in Africa and neigh are not clear but the varieties of noble canes, bouring islands was first recorded in the Cape Verde th Saccharum officinarum L., are thought to have Islands in the early 15 century (Polaszek and Khan, originated in Melanesia and the ancestral form is 1998). According to FAO (2011), a total of 23.8 thought to be the wild Saccharum robustum L. of million hectares of land is allocated to sugarcane in New Guinea and adjacent islands (Pemberton and 100 countries of the world. So far there is no well Williams, 1969). Other cultivated sugarcanes, 25 Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. (2019). 6(1): 25-32 documented reference about how, when and who insect damage to sugarcane has been recognized since introduced sugarcane to Ethiopia except the clue the establishment of the first sugarcane plantation. provided by Duri (1969) regarding the probable time Presence of world major sugarcane insect pest has also of introduction; which is estimated to be sometime been reported in the first three sugarcane plantations during the early 18th century (Aregaw, 2002). of the country. According to Tesfay and Solomon (2007), about 14 insect pests are reported from the Although sugarcane is not an indigenous crop to sugarcane plantation of Ethiopia. Despite record of Ethiopia, it has been grown in some parts of the these insect pests, only few: Heteronychus licas Klug country even before the commencement of large scale (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Macrotermes sp. and commercial plantation and establishment of the first Odontotermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae), Sesamia modern sugar factory at Wonji meant mainly for local calamistis Hampson and Busseola spp. (Lepidoptera: consumption (Aregaw, 2000). Noctuide), Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) are considered to be economically Modern production in Ethiopia commenced in 1954 important (Abera and Tesfay, 2001; Yoseph et al., at Wonji by the Dutch Company, Handle Vereening 2006; Tesfay and Solomon, 2007). Amsterdam (HVA) with sugar plantation of 5,000 ha. Late in 1962, the company established the second The lepidopterous stem and cob borers are among the sugar factory, Shoa, expanding the cane plantation by most injurious insect pest of maize, sorghum, millet, 2000 ha. Similarly, other sugarcane plantations were rice and sugarcane in sub Saharan Africa (Kfir et al., established at Metahara (over 10,000 ha) and Finchaa 2002). Maes (1998) listed 21 species of stem borers (over 8,000 ha) in 1969 and 1998, respectively (Abera that cause economic losses, however, within any and Tesfay, 2001). region crop combination, a small sub set are damaging (Kfir et al., 2002) Sugarcane is one of the major cash crops providing immense income for many countries around the world. In the Ethiopia sugar estates; although no quantified In Ethiopia, sugar industry plays a great role in the yield loss report exists, it is observed that the country’s economy. Sugar and its by products are used sugarcane plantations are suffering from damage of for local consumption and export. The industry has stalk borer species complex. It is usually difficult to also created job opportunity for a large number of estimate the loss caused by borers. However, different people. International Sugar Organization (ISO) methods have been developed to estimate the amount estimated, the present annual consumption of sugar in of sucrose lost because of bores. In Papua New Guinea Ethiopia is 3.5 kilogram per capita; this is considered (Ramu), losses of 0.82 tons of cane per hectare, 0.13 low even by Africa standards, which is estimated to be tons of sugar per hectare and 0.15% pol were 20 kilograms per capital (ISO, 2003). The report also estimated for every 1% of bored and rotting stalks revealed that in order to reach to the Africa standard, (Eastwood et al, 1998; Kuniata, 1998; Allsopp and Ethiopia still needs to produce an additional 80,000 Sallam, 2001). Similarly, in Mauritius, C. metric tons per year to satisfy the current total sacchariphagus caused an average loss of 0.8% demand. Thus, much effort has to be made to increase recoverable sucrose for every 1% of internodes bored sugar production in the country. To bridge the gap (Ganeshan, 2001). In Indonesia, the yield loss due to between supply and demand as well as to exploit the C. sacchariphagus was reported to reach up to 10% of international market, Ethiopia is on the verge of recoverable sugar for 20% internodes bored (Kuniata, establishing new sugar factories in many corner of the 1994). Up to 43% reduction in recoverable sucrose country with large tract of sugarcane plantation was recorded in Taiwan due to 8.9% level of besides expanding the existing ones. From the newly infestation by stem borers (Cheng, 1994). established plantations Tendaho sugarcane estate is the largest and when fully planted it will cover around 50, The sugarcane borer larvae damage the plant in several 000 hectares. ways. They reduce total biomass, quantity and quality of sugarcane. Tunnelling in the stalk reduces stalk In addition to the aforementioned efforts, weight as well as makes the stalk susceptible to intensification of sugarcane cultivation is of a lodging and breakage. Larval entry holes also serves paramount importance. However, weeds, disease and as a point of entrance for pathogens especially red rot insect pests are among the major constrains of disease (Ogunwolu et al., 1991). The damage by sugarcane production in the country. In Ethiopia, insects reduces cane yield and adversely affects the 26 Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. (2019). 6(1): 25-32 quality of cane juice, which results in lower recovery The estate is located at about 610 km southeast of of sucrose in the mill (Kuniata, 1998, 2000; Posey, Addis Ababa. The total area is about 50,000 hectares 2004). In addition, larval feeding results in increased from these 17,000 hectares was planted till now with fibre, glucose, fructose and rafenose contents and estimated average cane yield of 147 tons/ha. It reduced glucose/fructose ratio (Eastwood et al., 1998; receives an average of 200 mm annual rainfall Posey, 2004). distribution (from June to September). The mean minimum and maximum temperatures are 22.91oC and Identifying the natural enemy and understanding their 37.72oC, respectively. The estate sugarcane production significance in the sugarcane production system is the is undertaken with irrigation (Tadesse, 2004). primary step in pest management program. In this regard, no attempts that indicated the presence of Reports of WWDSE-WPCSI (water works design and natural enemy of stem borer (Yoseph et al., 2006), no supervision Enterprise in association with water and extensive works have been undertaken in Tendaho power consultancy services, India) 2005 suggested sugarcane plantations. Identification natural enemy of soils of Tendaho are classified into four major soil stem borer species complex according to their types (Fluvisols, vertisols, Solonetz and regosols) and significance to the estates has a paramount importance into eleven soil units of which fluvisols and vertisols in their management. therefore this work was initiated cover about 47 and 39% of the gross surveyed area with the of identify the associated natural enemies respectively.