Evaluation and control of pests, diseases and persistence of herbicides in sugarca...
Abstract
The Engineering Research Center - Plant Health in Sugarcane (ERC-PHS) is proposed to develop basic and applied studies on sugarcane pest management. Despite the historical success of biological control programs of insect pests and breeding programs for diseases, the sugarcane industry still faces important pest and disease problems. The ERC-PHS is an interdisciplinary and multi-institute that will be based at São Paulo State University, campus of Jaboticabal. The main subprojects are: (1) biology and mass rearing of insects; (2) bioecological studies of insect pests; (3) monitoring pest species and plant injuries; (4) establishment of environmentally friendly techniques for pest control; (5) determination of economic threshold levels of pest infestation; (6) etiology and epidemiological aspects of the "Sugarcane Wilting Syndrome" (SWS), and (7) sugarcane disease management. Basic studies on the biology and ecology of the sugarcane root weevil, Sphenophorus levis (Vaurie) (Col.: Curculionidae) and the root caterpillar, Hyponeuma taltula (Schaus) (Lep.: Noctuidae). These soil dwelling insects are emerging as important pests and control strategies adopted are not assuring efficient reduction of the populations. In addition, a new disease - SWS - with atypical symptomatology and distribution, has been occurring in recent years. It is suspected that it is caused by Colletotrichum falcatum Went., a fungus endemic to sugarcane and responsible for red rot. These pests and diseases are causing great yield loss and, consequently, jeopardizing the sugarcane sector. The results obtained and technologies developed will be transferred to the sugarcane sector. Also, the ERC-PHS will be responsible for sharing the progress of the studies with both lay people and students of all levels. (AU)