The Cane Weevil Borer (CWB) is a notable pest affecting sugarcane crops in various regions across Fiji. The larvae of the CWB burrow into the sugarcane stalks, which contain the juice used for sugar extraction.
Geetha Nandagopal, the head of the Crop Protection Department at the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji, emphasized that no sugarcane variety is resistant to this pest. She also leads the Crop Protection division under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.
Nandagopal explained that CWB infestations make sugarcane more susceptible to wilting, particularly during dry spells, resulting in the plants’ death. She acknowledged that these infestations pose a significant threat to sugarcane farmers.
The damage caused by CWB is particularly severe in lodged cane, where the structural strength of the plants is weakened, increasing their likelihood of breaking during strong winds. Nandagopal warned that the adverse effects of CWB attacks extend far beyond physical damage, with wilting leading to potential cane mortality.
Research indicates that CWB infestations can result in an estimated ten percent reduction in yield and a troubling two percent decline in quality. Furthermore, it is alarming that no sugarcane variety has demonstrated immunity to CWB, placing growers in a challenging situation where they need to continually adjust their pest management strategies.
Nandagopal pointed out that the connection between wilting and CWB is more evident during drought conditions.