The Cane Weevil Borer (CWB) is a significant pest affecting sugarcane crops in the sugarcane-producing regions of Fiji. The larva of the CWB burrows into the sugarcane stalk, which is vital for juice extraction.
Geetha Nandagopal, head of the Crop Protection department at the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) and also affiliated with the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, reported that no sugarcane variety has shown immunity to the CWB.
Nandagopal highlighted that CWB infestations increase the likelihood of wilt in sugarcane, particularly during dry spells, and can ultimately lead to the death of the plants. She expressed that these infestations pose a serious threat to sugarcane producers.
The situation worsens in lodged canes, where weakened structural integrity can cause breakage in strong winds. According to Nandagopal, the impact of CWB attacks is not only limited to physical damage; it also leads to an estimated 10 percent reduction in yield and a troubling 2 percent decrease in quality.
Nandagopal emphasized the pressing concern that no sugarcane variety is resistant to this pest, placing considerable pressure on growers to continually refine their management strategies to address the challenges posed by CWB. She noted that the connection between wilt and CWB is notably greater during drought conditions.