Chemical applications will commence in October-November on 12 field sites established for SRA’s project looking for alternatives to imidacloprid for effective canegrub management. The sites have been marked out on farms at the Atherton Tablelands, Gordonvale, Tully, Ingham, Burdekin, Mackay, Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
Up to 10 different chemical treatments which have previously been screened in laboratory trials are being applied to plant cane and first ratoon cane in the period from now until November.
SRA’s Lead Entomologist, Dr Kevin Powell, expressed his sincere thanks for the help of his own Entomology Team (Above, Dr Samuel Bawa and Dr Emtia Chandrima) and SRA’s Industry Services team in working with local growers to locate and set up trials in a short period of time.
“It is understandable to see the great interest in this project from growers. The team has been inundated with questions, however growers need to understand the strict regulatory requirements for a scientific research project like this one,” Dr Powell said.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
- Will a suitable alternative treatment be announced by the end of the year? No, the research will continue for another year to ensure all results are scientifically robust to enable any future registration of a product or products. Registration of any products will be the responsibility of the participating agrochemical companies.
- What will canegrub population numbers be this year? We are unable to accurately predict population numbers for this year due to an inability to predict the climatic conditions in the large number of microclimates across sugarcane growing regions.
- What chemicals are being used in the trials? We are unable to disclose the treatments being used in the trials under Confidential Agreements with the agrochemical suppliers.”
More information: growers who have other questions about the project can contact Dr Powell by email at kpowell@sugarresearch.com.au
Project 2025-001 – Beyond imidacloprid – Ensuring effective and sustainable canegrub control for the future is funded by Sugar Research Australia. Read more in the latest Cane Matters magazine, pages 4-5.
