The pesticide phorate was tried as a nematicide for the sugarcane crop at three different dosages of. 4 kg, 3 kg and 2 kg a.i./ha and compared with an untreated control. It was found that all the three-dosages showed a reduction in nematode population followed by a significant increase in yield of cane. Phorate appleed @ 2 kg a.i./ha was found to gradually dissipate by 70 days. Studies conducted on translocation of phorate in two sugarcane varieties, Co 8021 and CoC 671 revealed no trace of residues in the plant system after 62 days. Beside being an effective nematicide with no residual toxicity, phorate can be recommended as a safe nematicide in sugarcane fields at 2 kg a.i.
