DOES IMIDACLOPRID PROVIDE ABIOTIC BENEFITS TO SUGARCANE IN THE ABSENCE OF CANEGRUBS?

SRA AND CROP CARE AUSTRALASIA sampled 16 field-trials in sugarcane, commencing in 2012 to examine any positive abiotic (non-insecticidal) effects that the imidacloprid products suSCon maxi® and Senator® WG might have on crop growth in the absence of canegrubs or other insect pests. Plant crops from the first set of trials established in 2012, and the second set established in 2013, have shown no positive growth responses in the absence of canegrub infestation. Plots re-treated with Senator WG as coulter applications into the young first ratoon crop gave some inconsistent effects in terms of increased cane yield or ratoon shoot growth in some of the trials, but in all cases these could have been due to low-level presence of canegrubs in the first ratoon crops.