Integrated Pest Management in Sugarcane: China’s Path Toward Sustainable Pest Control

Introduction

Sugarcane is the backbone of China’s sugar industry, with Guangxi and Yunnan provinces leading production. Yet, the crop faces a persistent threat—over 360 species of insect pests, including moth borers, aphids, and canegrubs, that damage yields and sugar quality.

Traditional chemical control has proven costly and environmentally harmful, prompting a shift toward Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—a holistic, eco-friendly approach balancing pest control, biodiversity, and productivity.

How IPM is Changing Sugarcane Pest Control

Over the last two decades, China has revolutionized pest management in sugarcane using:

Biological Control: Beneficial insects like Trichogramma chilonis and fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae target major pests naturally.
Physicochemical Methods: Light traps, sex pheromones, and mating disruption technology curb pest populations without pesticides.
Cultural Practices: Deep plowing, intercropping, and pest-resistant sugarcane varieties reduce pest survival and spread.
Technology Integration: Plant Protection Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (PPUAVs) now deploy biocontrol agents, pheromones, and pesticides efficiently over vast fields.

Key Achievements in China’s Sugarcane IPM

Early Warning Systems
- IoT-enabled sensors and pheromone traps deliver real-time pest monitoring data.
Biological Control Success
- Mass release of Trichogramma wasps reduced sugarcane borer damage by over 90% in some regions.
Environmentally Friendly Insecticides
- High-toxicity chemicals have been replaced by low-toxicity, targeted pesticides like chlorantraniliprole, cutting environmental risks.
Drone-Based Pest Management
- PPUAVs now combine spraying, biological releases, and pheromone application, reducing labor costs and chemical use.

Challenges Hindering Adoption

Farmer Awareness Gaps: Many rely solely on chemical solutions due to lack of training.
Cost Barriers: Biocontrol agents and IoT systems remain expensive for smallholder farmers.
Climate Change: Altered pest life cycles demand adaptive, climate-smart pest control strategies.

Future Prospects for Sugarcane IPM in China

The study highlights three major areas for future growth:

Transgenic Insect-Resistant Sugarcane: Bt-sugarcane varieties could reduce pesticide dependence.
AI-Driven Pest Monitoring: Machine learning and GIS technologies will enable predictive pest outbreak modeling.
Policy Support: Subsidies for biocontrol agents, drones, and eco-friendly insecticides will help scale sustainable IPM practices.

Conclusion

China’s Integrated Pest Management in sugarcane is setting a benchmark for sustainable agriculture. By merging ecology, technology, and innovation, it offers a path toward high yields, reduced chemical use, and resilient farming systems in the face of climate change.

Reference

Shang, X. K., Wei, J. L., Liu, W., Nikpay, A., Pan, X. H., & Huang, C. H. (2025). Integrated Pest Management of Sugarcane Insect Pests in China: Current Status and Future Prospects. In Sugar Tech (Vol. 27, Issue 2, pp. 299–317). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-024-01510-0