Fiji : ‘Dispose off leftover cane efficiently’
Sugarcane farmers in Fiji are advised to clear leftover harvested cane to prevent termite infestations, according to Sugar Research Institute of Fiji’s Tevita Tuwai. Termites travel between nests and may feed on leftover cane. Farmers should avoid leaving cane remnants in fields, as they attract termites and other pests. Tuwai recommends harvesting from the root up to minimize risks.
SUGARCANE farmers have been urged to dispose off their leftover harvested cane efficiently to ward off termite infestation, says Sugar Research Institute of Fiji Junior Research Fellow (Crop Protection) Tevita Tuwai.
“When farmers clear their fields after they harvest, we’ve noticed that cane left over is the part of the crop that is affected,” Mr Tuwai said.
“In a few cases, we’ve seen termite killing the live cane. This happens when they travel from one nest to another, and if there is any sugarcane in between, they feed and then go to the other nest.”
Mr Tuwai stressed however that the termites were not directly affecting sugarcane.
“Farmers should clear all of the cane, so if they are harvesting, I’d prefer they not leave their cane for long in the fields. So, you don’t have to leave any cane in the field. You harvest the cane from the very end of the cane not to invite the termites to come into that leftover cane.”
Mr Tuwai said some farmers harvest their cane and run about 20 to 30 centimetres of cane from the root up.
“We’re asking farmers not to do that, to avoid that. Because this will invite not only termites, but we also have other insects that feed on that.”
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Source : Fiji Times
