article · PLoS ONE
Sugarcane productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa is substantially constrained by the African sugarcane stalk borer, Eldana saccharina, which can lower crop yields by up to 30 percent and reduce sucrose content by roughly 18 percent. A comprehensive survey across 711 field blocks in Tanzania assessed how season, altitude, crop age, and sugarcane variety affect pest infestation and physical damage. Infestation rates were greatest at high altitudes across all seasons, with significant interactions found between season, altitude, and crop age. The rainy season brought greater internal stalk tissue damage at high altitudes and increased boring intensity at medium and high altitudes, predominantly damaging the bottom section of the stalks. Furthermore, higher infestation levels occurred in mixed-variety blocks and specifically affected cultivars N41 and N49. These ecological determinants provide critical insights for tailoring pest management programmes.
Sugarcane is a vital source of sugar and economic output across Sub-Saharan Africa, but stalk borers inflict severe yield and sucrose losses. By identifying the exact seasons, altitudes, and plant varieties most susceptible to damage, growers and agricultural authorities can target protective interventions far more effectively, helping to safeguard both crop yields and the broader sugar supply.
This research provides applied baseline data that sugarcane growers, estate managers, and agricultural extension services can use to optimise pest monitoring and guide variety selection. While the findings clearly define high-risk conditions and vulnerable cultivars such as N41 and N49, the work represents applied field research rather than an immediate commercial product, serving to inform operational pest control strategies and planting decisions.
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Sugarcane is an important crop that contributes substantially to sugar production globally and across Sub-Saharan Africa. However, its productivity is constrained by stem borer infestations, particularly Eldana saccharina. The pest reduces sugarcane yield by up to 30% and about 18% of sucrose content is compromised. Nonetheless, the influence of ecological parameters on its pest status in Tanzania remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the influence of season, altitude, crop age, and sugarcane variety on E. saccharina infestation in Tanzania. A stratified multistage cross-sectional survey was conducted across three altitudes representing low, medium, and high altitudes. In total, 711 blocks were surveyed, and infestation was assessed from 50 randomly sampled stalks per block. The infestation was quantified as the total number of E. saccharina larvae recovered per 50 stalks alongside other damage parameters. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models in R, with likelihood ratio tests and Type III Wald x2 tests. Infestation was highest at high altitude in both seasons and was significantly influenced by season x altitude x crop-age interaction ( X2=9.58, P<0.0083). Internal stalk-tissue- damage was significantly greater at high-altitude during the rainy season (P = 0.04). Boring intensity was significantly higher at medium and high-altitudes during the rainy season (P =0.013;P = 0.004, respectively), with the bottom stalk part most affected (P = 0.001). Higher infestation was observed in mixed-variety blocks and in cultivars N41 and N49. These findings show that altitude, season, and crop-age are determinants of E. saccharina infestation in Tanzania and should guide pest management strategies.
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0355844
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