Termite management in sugarcane plantation using imidacloprid granules

Granular imidacloprid (0.3 GR) was evaluated for its effectiveness against termite in sugarcane plantations. Out of the three doses tested, imidacloprid @ 90 g ai/ha was the most effective one as it recorded the highest germination as well as the lowest tiller damage and termite population per unit area. Liquid formulation (SL) of imidacloprid @ 62.3 g ai/ha and WD G formulation of another neonicotinoid, clothianidin @ 125 g ai/ha, were also evaluated for comparing their performance over granular imidacloprid against the termite infestation and damage. Granular imidacloprid @ 75 g ai/ha was at par with clothianidin and both were significantly superior to liquid formulation of imidacloprid @ 62.3 g ai/ha as well as to granular formulation of imidacloprid @ 60 g ai/ha. High doses of granular imidacloprid (@ 150 and 300 g ai/ha) did not produce any phytotoxicity.