The importance of complementary nutrition in the fight against the sugarcane borer

A Diatraea saccharalis, popularly known as sugarcane borer, is a recurrent disease in sugarcane fields caused by the presence of larvae in the crop, which turn into caterpillars and head to the sugarcane stalk. In addition to compromising the quality of production, through the openings left by the pest, the fungi penetrate the plant structure, causing infections that compromise the development of the crop.

It is estimated that up to 5 billion reais are lost annually due to this pest in Brazil. In this final period of the year, we are entering a crucial moment for the protection of sugarcane fields against the sugarcane borer, as the expectation of high temperatures and greater amounts of rain make the sugarcane environment ideal for the proliferation of larvae.

The sugarcane borer is one of the key pests of the crop as it is present throughout the Brazilian territory. Its presence in the field causes direct and indirect damage, drastically affecting productivity and sugar and ethanol levels in the sugarcane field. Recent data shows that 1% final borer infestation intensity can cause losses of up to 2,90% in productivity.

Despite the little literature on the subject, we know that a nutritionally balanced plant can activate defenses against pests and diseases. It is important to pay attention to sugarcane plantation nutrition, as there is already scientific and field evidence that the use of quality amino acids helps the plant's metabolism to better resist stress situations. In this way, integrated management that manages to combine good complementary nutrition with the correct use of pesticides avoids productivity losses, preserving the health of the sugarcane field.