INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF SORGHUM STEM BORER

Abstract: Sorghum is a vital cereal crop cultivated globally for food, feed, and bioenergy purposes. Despite its economic and nutritional importance, the crop suffers substantial yield losses due to infestation by the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), a major pest in Asia and Africa. The pest‘s adaptability, overlapping generations, and diapause capacity make its management challenging. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies encompassing cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical controls have been explored to mitigate stem borer damage. Cultural practices, such as adjusting sowing dates and residue management, significantly reduce infestation levels, while the identification and deployment of resistant genotypes like IS 2205, SPV 2591 and CSV 21F offer sustainable control options. Mechanical removal of infested plants and destruction of stubbles further limit pest carryover. Biological control through egg parasitoids (Trichogramma chilonis, T. evanescens) and larval parasitoids (Cotesia flavipes) has proven effective in suppressing pest populations under field conditions. Chemical control using imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and chlorantraniliprole remains widely adopted for rapid pest reduction. However, integration of these approaches, as demonstrated by several studies, yields the best results in minimizing dead heart incidence and enhancing grain and fodder yield. Keywords: Biological control, Cultural control, IPM, Stem borer