Sugarcane aphid continues to be an issue in sorghum production, but strides are being made in management techniques. When the pest first became a concern many growers initially began treating it with broad spectrum materials which proved to be ineffective. UC Cooperative Extension research has determined a more effective control material for the pest.
“A newer product, Sivanto is the trade name for it, has actually been very effective in trials. When you spray it on leaves it moves systemically from the leaf it’s on and continues moving in the plant to the new growth,” said Kern County Entomology Farm Adviser David Haviland. “As you get it on the plant it’s controlling the aphids but also as the plant grows and the aphids move, it’s moving to that newer tissue and providing excellent control.”
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