Management of Termites in Preserved Setts of Sugarcane in Assam

Field experiment was laid out to see the effect of different treatments on termites in preserved setts of sugarcane in Assam. Out of all the treatments, the chlorpyriphos treated preserved setts recorded least mean number (15.6 and 19.8%) and portion of setts (6.6 and 14.8%) infestation by termites coupled with a marked increase in germination (49.8 and 53.5%) during 2005 and 2006. The treatment of setts with neem, Beauveria bassiana, wrapping of setts with Polygonum hydropiper leaves and polythhen sheet barrier did dot show any marked decrease of infestation by termites. Experimental results further indicated very high level of infestation of termites in farmer's practice and untreated control, which led to the poor germination of setts.