Resumo

RAMON, M; PEREZ, M; MENDOZA, C  e  MAURIELLO, F. Response of 18 sugarcane cultivars to the attack of the sugarcane borer (Diatraea spp.) in Portuguesa state, Venezuela. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2002, vol.19, n.3, pp.210-218. ISSN 0378-7818.

As a part of a project for the production, introduction and selection of sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp.) in Venezuela, The National Agricultural Research Institute INIA and the Center for Agricultural Research CIAE- Portuguesa State, carried out four regional trials of the series B 80-81 and V 84 conducted in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. The trials were conducted during two harvesting seasons (plant and first ratoon) at four locations; the experimental field "Las Majaguas" (Agua Blanca County), Finca "Caño Chispa" (Esteller County), Finca "Santa Inés" and Finca "El Guasimo" (Guanare County). In addition to the agronomic traits studied, the response of the cultivars to sugarcane borer damage (Diatraea spp.) was also assessed. At 12 months after planting, the number of bored internodes and internodes with galleries from 10 stalks randomly sampled were recorded to estimate the damage index (I.I.) and the infestation intensity index (I.I.I.). The results showed that the cultivars with the lowest I.I. index were V 84-23 and B 80-549 (3,1% and 3,7% respectively) while those with the highest values were V 84-25 (7,9%), PR 980 (7,4%) and V 84-24 (6,8%). Significant interactions between location x year were found. The locations with the highest I.I. and I.I.I. levels were "Las Majaguas" and "Santa Inés". The cultivar B 80-408 displayed high cane yield and sugar production despite the high I.I. and I.I.I. values observed.

Palavras-chave : Sugarcane; Saccharum spp; Sugarcane Borer; Diatraea spp..