A comparative Study of chemical and Biocontrol Measures on Whitegrub, Holotrichia serrata (Fabricius, 1781) in Sugarcane with an Emphasis on Sustainable Biological Approach

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in farmers’ fields in Mastipur, Amarachinta and Itikyala villages, Wanaparthy dt., Telangana state in the wet seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to evaluate eco-friendly strategies for the management of Holotrichia serrata, the whitegrub in sugarcane using three modules viz.,eco-friendly module, chemical check module and an untreated control module. Data on plant damage and no.of grubs per 10m row length was taken at 60 days after treatment. Results revealed that the chemical check module recorded least damage of plants (29.66%), lesser (10.9) grubs/10m row length, highest cane yield (35.25 t/acre) net gain of Rs.53,283.00 over control treatment and an Incremental cost benefit ratio (ICBR) of 9.69, while eco-friendly module recorded higher damage of plants (47.22%) and more (12.99) grubs/10m row length at 60 days after treatment, cane yield of 27.96 t/acre, net gain of Rs.33,842.00 over control treatment and an Incremental cost benefit ratio of 8.91 indicating the larger role of the chemicals in  managing the pest. The work suggested that chemical check plots recorded lesser pest infestation level and lesser pest numbers, however, the increased incremental benefit cost ratio was higher in the Eco-friendly module proving that the module works out safe for the farmer.