THE SPREAD OF ELDANA IN THE MIDLANDS

Transcription

1 SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY AGRONOMISTS SYMPOSIUM 27 OCTOBER 2015 THE SPREAD OF ELDANA IN THE MIDLANDS RA Stranack - SASRI

2 CONTENTS Historical context Current situation Insecticides, scouting & Eldana damage Challenges for the Midlands (and the industry) going forward

3 HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ELDANA IN THE MIDLANDS

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5 CHRONOLOGY (SASRI ANNUAL REPORTS) DATE RECORD although slight local spread tendency to appear only on the Umfolozi Flats (SA Sugar Year Book) 1970 Considered not a problem and confined Umfolozi and to POJ 2725 BUT by 1976 Was found extensively on farms at Malelane, Pongola, Umfolozi, Empangeni, Felixton, Amatikulu and Darnall 1977 Spread south of the Tugela continued 1978 Spread further down the coast but not found south of Tongaat st interceptions at Mt Edgecombe, Sezela and Umzimkulu 1981 Recorded on more coastal farms in the Sezela and Umzimkulu mill areas st recording at Entumeni and detection in consignments tested at the Illovo Mill in cane from Mid-Illovo, Richmond and Tala Valley First detection of Eldana in consignments from the cane from Kranskop (WBF)

6 CHRONOLOGY CONTD DATE RECORD 1983 Eldana was found in consignments at the Illovo mill in cane from Eston, Richmond & Mid-Ilovo. (DBH) 1984 Lessons learnt from the drought were that stressed cane is very susceptible to Eldana which may invade even roots and destroy young ratoon crops. Varieties N55/805 and N12 were not as badly affected as NCo 376 and other new varieties (TT) 1985 Eldana first recorded in the field at Eston (GM) 1985 High infestations in mature cane at Melmoth, Pondoland North, Maringo Flats and Oribi (PM) 1987 Eldana found in natural vegetation above Albert Falls and in 38 fields in the Cramond and Bishopstowe areas (GM) 1988 Eldana continued to spread in the Eston area. Then found on 38 farms and on 7 new farms that year (DBH) 1990 s - present Midlands North & South and inland wards of South Coast LPD&VCCs adopt strict policy of zero tolerance (1e/100) hazard levels for Midlands cane. But despite this

7 Eldana - Midlands North Greytown New Hanover Dalton Wartburg Slide Tom Webster MN LPD&VCC

8 ELDANA FIELD SURVEYS 100 stick random sample per field Measured are: Stalks damaged (%SD) Eldana larvae (E/100s), Sesamia (S/100s) & Percent stalk length red (% SLR)

9 HAZARD LEVELS ENTUMENI 1. Milling season hazard e.g. 10 e/100s (harvest within 28 days) 2. Carry-over hazard e.g. 5 e/100s and 2.5% SLR - considered safe to carry. If higher must be harvested before the end of the season 3. Off-season hazard > 50 e/100s harvest & destroy 4. Maximum age of cane restrictions different for Eshowe and Melmoth

10 FIELD SURVEYS: NB, ES, EN & INDUSTRY E/100 in field surveys in Midlands areas Entumeni Noodsberg Eston Industry

11 TABLE 2. NUMBER OF FIELDS IN E/100 CATEGORIES EXPRESSED AS A PERCENT OF THE SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN EACH REGION Percent of total surveys in each e/100 category (number of fields) Mill Fields >100 0 low to moderate moderate-high high excessive SZ (975) 33.5 (562) 6.0 (101) 0.8 (13) 1.6% (26) EN (1462) 37.8 (922) 2.2 (53) 0.08% (2) 0.04 (1) NB (2325) 4.9 (119) 0.4 (9) 0 0 UF (394) 23.6 (122) 0.4 (2) 0 0 ES (1305) 27.0 (493) 1.4 (26) 0 0 GH (331) 74.0 (1087) 3.4 (50) 0 0 UK (535) 50.6 (591) 3.6 (42) 0 0 AK (393) 64.0 (706) 0.4 (4) 0 0 FX (228) 69.0 (554) 2.6 (21) 0 0 DL (183) 81.8 (888) 1.3 (14) 0 0 MS (167) 88.2 (1310) 0.6 (9) 0 0 ML (479) 34.3 (250) PG (294) 38.9 (187) Slide M Way SASRI

12 2015 CURRENT SITUATION Eldana in year-old cane for next season Infestations in stubble

13 ELDANA AT SEZELA Slide R Bridgmohan Sezela

14 INCREASE IN ELDANA NUMBERS AND % SLR DURING THE OFF-CROP SEZELA Field Variety Month of survey E/100 s % stalk length red 1 N39 Oct N39 Feb N27 Oct N27 Feb N39 Oct N39 Feb N41 Oct N41 Feb N21 Oct N21 Feb N47 Oct N47 Jan N41 Oct N41 Feb N41 Oct N41 Jan

15 CURRENT SITUATION - MIDLANDS Eldana in this AND next season s cane Current LPD&VCC hazard levels challenged e.g. 1 e/100s (Midlands N, Harding) Midlands North, Midlands South & Umzimkhulu amended local rules to accommodate spraying High infestations in stubble Influence of soils (e.g.eston/mt Elias/Oribi) Prolonged drought Lack of experience with new insecticides

16 CURRENT SITUATION CONTD.. Umzimkulu (inland wards) up to 65% of fields for next season unsuitable for carryover necessitated extensive spraying ( ha) Eston 100% of fields surveyed in July/August above milling season and carryover threshold extensive spraying (> 2000 ha) Noodsberg Eldana in next season s cane some spraying necessary Sezela concern in inland wards Entumeni situation stable (spraying undertaken as a rule)

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18 Changes to LPD&VCC Rules Accepted that harvesting not completely effective in reducing Eldana numbers and that spraying is an effective additional control measure capable of significantly reducing Eldana numbers and subseqeuent damage

19 THE USE OF INSECTICIDES TO CONTROL ELDANA

20 AMENDMENTS TO NOTICES IN GOVT. GAZETTE

21 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Spraying is now an additional legal remedial measure to harvesting (default measure) Provision to be made in LPD&VCC rules for spraying and hazard thresholds to be established Spraying may be enforced

22 HAZARD LEVELS FOR LPD&VCCS - GENERIC 1. Milling season hazard level 2. Carry-over hazard level safe to carry over without treatment (spraying optional) 3. NEW!! Allow higher levels for carryover BUT with mandatory spraying AND measured reduction in e/100 levels (and damage) within a specified time frame. Harvest if not achieved 4. Off-season hazard level 5. Maximum age restrictions 6. Seedcane hazard level

23 NEW PRODUCTS FOR ELDANA CONTROL 20 % internodes bored Control alpha-cypermethrin Indoxacarb Chlorantraniliprole Sep Nov Jan Mar Slide G Leslie SASRI

24 ECONOMICS OF SPRAYING

25 RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES Scout and apply only when necessary - continue to monitor Do not reduce rates or mix chemical groups Rotate insecticides with different modes of action (MOA) Do not treat two consecutive generations (Eldana = 60 days) with the same MOA Follow the programme!

26 EXAMPLES OF IRAC COMPLIANT SPRAY PROGRAMMES: ASSUMPTIONS: 1. This is a base programme for 12-month Coastal carry-over cane, to be cut when mills open in April, under normal rainfall conditions 2. Start the programme in August as per label recommendations 3. OR: Start the programme based on counts; if damage exceeds 3% IB or SLR in August, or if E/100 is above threshold 4. OR: Start the programme under conditions of below-normal rainfall when Eldana risk is high moth peak moth peak MONTH: AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL WEEKS: Harvest Fastac 200 Fastac 200 Coragen 200 SC Steward 150 EC Steward 150 EC Coragen 200 SC PRODUCT: RATE: IRAC COMMENTS: moth peak moth peak MONTH: AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY WEEKS: Harvest Steward 150 EC Ampligo 150 CS Ampligo 150 CS Steward 150 EC Coragen 200 SC PRODUCT: RATE: IRAC COMMENTS: 200 ml/ha 200 ml/ha The application of multiple sprays of the same MOA within a 60 day window is IRAC compliant. 350 ml/ha 250 ml/ha 150 ml/ha The application of multiple sprays of the same MOA within a 60 day window is IRAC compliant. Scout carefully through this period: The second Steward application should only be made if counts are above thresholds. The application of two sprays of the same MOA within a 60 day window is IRAC compliant. 150 ml/ha 350 ml/ha 350 ml/ha 350 ml/ha A 60 day window between the residual of the August Steward application and the November Steward application is IRAC compliant. This application could be delayed to February. 250 ml/ha 250 ml/ha moth peak moth peak MONTH: AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY WEEKS: Fastac 200 Fastac 200 Steward 150 EC Coragen 200 SC Steward 150 EC Steward 150 EC Ampligo 150 CS Ampligo 150 CS PRODUCT: RATE: IRAC COMMENTS: 200 ml/ha 200 ml/ha 350 ml/ha 250 ml/ha 350 ml/ha The application of multiple sprays of the same MOA within a 60 day window is IRAC compliant. GENERAL 1. Beneficial insect COMMENTS: populations will be low, therefore low risk from pyrethroid. 2. Pyrethroids are more effective during cooler conditions. A 60 day window between the residual of the September Steward application and the December Steward application is IRAC compliant. 1. Steward has Moth flight peak. good knockdown, The diamides in Ampligo and Coragen and effective on all exert a mating disruption effect best stages of pest cycle. targetted to moth peaks. 2. Is a proinsecticide - must be activated by insect esterase enzymes. Likely to counter esterase based resistance to pyrethroids. Scout carefully through this period: The Steward application should only be made if counts are above A 60 day window between the residual of the December Steward application and the March Steward application is IRAC compliant. 350 ml/ha thresholds. 1. Summer is the period in which to encourage populations of beneficials to flourish. Pyrethroids should be avoided. Steward and Coragen are less damaging to beneficials than pyrethroids. 2. Coragen is the most Lepidoptera-specific product of those available. Coragen and Steward are more effective in high temperature conditions. 3. The Steward application in December will give growers peace of mind over the Christmas shut-down. However the need for it should be established by scouting. Slide S Rutherford SASRI 150 ml/ha 150 ml/ha The application of multiple sprays of the same MOA within a 60 day window is IRAC compliant. Moth flight peak. 1. The diamides in Ampligo and Coragen exert a mating disruption effect best targetted to moth peaks. 2. Ampligo could be preferred during April and May due to lower temperatures increasing the effectiveness of the pyrethroid component. JUNE Harvest

27 EFFECT OF SPRAYING COMMERCIAL Comparison of Amatikulu & Entumeni mill areas AK e/ % SLR ENT e/ % SLR Data Gary Lagerwall

28 MELMOTH: SPRAY VS NON-SPRAY VRIENDSCHAP BOERDERY, 2015 C/O ELDANA SURVEY RESULTS HA UNDER M ASL No Fields (Sprayed) Hectares Surveyed % Stalks Bored Eldana/100 stalks %SLR No Fields Hectares % Stalks Eldana/100 %SLR (Unsprayed) Surveyed Bored stalks Farmer Farm Date Year Field Var Age % Stalks Bored Eldana/ 100 stalks % SLR V. B. Townlands 06-Mar N V. B. Townlands 06-Mar N V. B. Townlands 09-Mar N V. B. Townlands 09-Mar N V. B. Townlands 09-Mar N V. B. Townlands 09-Mar N

29 ELDANA FIELD SURVEYS & SCOUTING

30 WHY IS SCOUTING AN IMPERATIVE? LPD&VCCs have limited survey capacity & other priorities e.g. seedcane LPD&VCCs responsibility is monitoring and to seek out and confirm new outbreaks Scouting is in the grower s own economic interest e.g. prioritise fields for harvest Scouting results used in deciding if and when to apply insecticides

31 EXAMPLES OF SCOUTING Photos courtesy P De Billot - Eston

32 SCOUTING METHODS Midlands South LPD&VCC

33 GROWER S SCOUTING RECORDS Midlands South LPD&VCC

34 ELDANA NUMBERS VS DAMAGE AS MEASURED IN SURVEYS

35 ELDANA NUMBERS & DAMAGE OVER TIME July October January March %SD %IB E/100s 19

36 ELDANA SURVEYS IN POTENTIAL CARRYOVER CANE MAY E/100 s e/ e/100 >10 e/100 Hectares

37 ELDANA SURVEYS IN POTENTIAL CARRYOVER CANE MAY % SLR >5% Hectares

38 CHALLENGES GOING FORWARD

39 VARIETIES AND ELDANA

40 MIDLANDS VARIETIES & SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELDANA Variety N12 N16 N21 N31 N35 N36 N37 N39 N41 N47 N48 N50 N52 N54 Susceptibility rating Intermediate Susceptible Resistant Intermediate Susceptible Intermediate susceptible Intermediate Resistant Intermediate resistant Intermediate resistant Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate resistant Intermediate 5 vs 9!

41 OBSERVATIONS ON VARIETIES.. N31 & N37 proving susceptible N35 de-gazetted at Umzimkhulu N48 popular but also proving susceptible in some instances 30 % rule not more than 30% of AUC planted to one variety

42 CHALLENGES GOING FORWARD: Continue to closely monitor current situation Face possibility of destruction orders in off-crop Assess efficacy of spraying Revision of local rules 1) to accommodate spraying & 2) to assess effectiveness of current hazard levels Continue to educate on responsible use of insecticides (IRAC guidelines) Rates, methods and timing of insecticide application (when to apply 3 4 moth flights in 2 year cane) Stubble treatments products?

43 CHALLENGES CONTD..: Formalise scouting procedures Surveys prioritise cane for the following season Emphasis on damage as trigger for remedial action More efficient survey methods Variety release policy for Midlands

44 APPROACHES TO ELDANA CONTROL Agronomic measures. Varietal resistance. Chemical. Biocontrol. IPM Scouting Field hygiene Harvest age Nutrition. Use varieties appropriate for the environment. Use of insecticide as needed. Use of natural enemies. Habitat manipulation. Appropriate use of all approaches to control, to maximise impact. Slide G Leslie SASRI

45 THIS STORY IS NOT YET OVER

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47 SEASONAL OUTLOOK

48 ELDANA LIFE STAGES 60 Moths captured in a light trap at Eston: May Oct Moths May June July August September October

49 Thank you ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gary Lagerwall; Guy Ducasse, Paul Botha, Paul de Billot, Sifiso Thwala, Brendon Small Roland Bridgmohan, Tom Webster, Stuart Rutherford, Sharon McFarlane, Mike Way, Doug Hellmann; Graeme Leslie

50 Before Spraying Months After Spraying Grower Field Variety Crop Ward DATE AGE %SD E/100 S/100 %SLR Before spray DATE AGE %SD E/100 S/100 %SLR 2 Δ E/100 Δ %SLR Δ %SD A. Adie 234 N12 7R 5 17/06/ /09/ Good A. Adie 221 N12 R 5 21/07/ /09/ Good B. Hoatson T44 N12 R 8 28/08/ /09/ Good B. Pepworth 14 N12 4R 6 21/07/ /09/ Good B. Pepworth 41 N12 2R 6 21/07/ /09/ Good H. Bunge 19G N12 7R 4 22/06/ /09/ Good H. Bunge 19EF N12 10R 4 22/06/ /09/ Good H. Bunge 19CD N12 10R 4 22/06/ /09/ Good H. Bunge 22 N12 10R 4 22/06/ /09/ Good L.P Neethling 322 N39 3R 4 11/06/ /09/ Good M.V Neethling 210 N39 6R 4 12/06/ /09/ Good M.V Neethling 203 N39 1R 4 12/06/ /09/ Good M.V Neethling 314 N39 5R 4 12/06/ /09/ Good M. Flanagan F 603 N39 3R 4 21/07/ /09/ Good M.I. Langton 165 N12 R 4 10/06/ /09/ Good M.I. Langton 151 N39 R 4 10/06/ /09/ Good P.McBean 35 N39 R 3 13/05/ /10/ Good P.McBean 15 N42 R 3 03/06/ /10/ Good AVERAGE

51 DIFFERENCES E/100 : 7.2 Reduction %SLR : 0.3% Reduction % SD : 2.7% Reduction Insecticide is working! Best E/100 Reduction : 26 E/100

52 INFLUENCE OF ELDANA ON % AREA HARVESTED KZN NORTH COAST & ZULULAND 's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's The future for the Midlands?

53 Resistance Management Guidelines Incorporate IPM practices into your pest control programme. Monitor pests. Scouting is one of the key activities in the implementation of an insecticide resistance management strategy. Monitor insect population development in fields to determine if and when control measures are warranted. After treatment, continue monitoring to assess pest populations and their control. Focus on economic thresholds. Insecticides should be used only if insects are numerous enough to cause economic losses that exceed the cost of the insecticide plus application. Do not reduce rates. Follow recommended timing of applications. Rotate insecticide MoA groups Avoid treating two consecutive insect generations with the same MoA (the average generation time for eldana is 60 days). Multiple successive applications of the same MoA are acceptable if they are used to treat a single insect generation or are used within a defined window (of 60 days). Do not mix different chemical groupings