When to Apply

Start application 1 months after planting in plant cane and 1 months after stubble shaving in ratoons.

Method of Application
Prior to field application, allow the adult parasites (Trichogramma) to emerge in the container (any glass container with cover). Place the container under ambient temperature and free from ants.

Reminders
?? Do not place the Trichogramma strips in an open container and keep away from hot places and ants.

Trichogramma strips in ball jars 1 months old plant cane 1 months old ratoon cane

Emerging adults of Trichogramma

water

Rate of Application
?? Apply 5 strips per hectare/application for a total of 8 applications.

In releasing the adult parasites, open and slightly tap the container while going around the field. At the center of the field, randomly distribute the strips by clipping these on the plants.

?? Refrigerate the strips (in the vegetable bin/crisper only) if not applied as scheduled.

Releasing of adult Trichogramma

Direction of application

Strips of Trichogramma

?? Remove the Trichogramma strips from the refrigerator a day before field application. ?? Ask the distributing center for the date of application.

?? The first 4 applications are made at 3 days interval (ex. If 1st application is Monday, the next will be Thursday and so forth). ?? The 5th to the 8th applications are made at weekly intervals.
2

Clipping of Trichogramma strips on the plants

Adult female Trichogramma laying eggs on borer egg mass 3

Field Results

Losses Due to Borer

Effect of borer infestation on yield of Phil 7083 at different percentages of infestation (Alba, 1981)
Percent Borer Infestation 26.22 27.51 28.77 29.22 30.27 31.30 32.30 33.97 34.68 35.97 36.86 37.73 38.36 39.72 40.66 41.26 42.06 Yield TC/Ha. 64.71 58.33 58.20 49.13 42.50 42.00 56.25 42.41 40.31 35.34 38.28 40.38 38.71 33.75 34.78 33.87 23.53 LKg/Ha. 120.32 129.13 112.64 105.65 80.11 79.69 110.29 92.28 77.00 76.62 84.26 74.19 66.60 66.60 65.99 75.83 43.75

TRICHOGRAMMA APPLICATION AGAINST SUGARCANE STEMBORERS

MELANIE C. ALBA & ROSENIE G. ENTIMA

Trichogramma is a potential biological control agent against sugarcane stemborers in the Philippines. It is an egg parasitoid that kills the pest before it can cause any damage to the plant.

Parasitized stem borer egg mass

The loss in yield per 1% increase in borer infestation is estimated at 1.92 TC/Ha and 4.06 LKg/Ha.

Trichogramma sp.

Field applied with Trichogramma (left) and without Trichogramma (right) at Hda. Embang, Silay City

Cost of Application
1 strip 5 strips/application 4 applications 8 applications Labor Total cost/season Available at = = = = = PhP 6.00 PhP 30.00 PhP 120.00 PhP 240.00 PhP 25.00 PhP 265.00/Ha

There are four species of Trichogramma against sugarcane stemborers. These are T. chilonis, T. chilotraeae, T. bactrae and T. nana. At 28o - 32oC, Trichogramma completes its life cycle in 7 days and 9 days at 25o - 27oC.

: SRA-LGAREC La Granja, La Carlota City

Contact Persons : Dr. Melanie C. Alba, Manager I Rosenie G. Entima, Research Analyst Closer view of sugarcane field with Trichogramma (left) and without Trichogramma (right) application

Crop Protection Department

SUGAR REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City 6130