Learn about the pests that damage sunflower and its control.
1. Head Borer, Helicoverpa Armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae):
The head or capitulum borer causes considerable damage to developing grains in the head capsule. The young larvae first attack the tender parts like bracts and petals, and later on shift to reproductive parts of the flower heads. Bigger larvae mostly feed on seeds by making tunnels in the body of the flower heads and often remain concealed.
They may also shift to the backside of the heads and even leaves, and feeding may continue upto maturity. Star bud stage of the crop is most vulnerable and suffers maximum yield loss.
Control:
Spray 2.5 kg of carbaryl 50WP or 2.0 kg of acephate 75SP or 2.5 litres of chlorpyriphos 20EC or 1.25 litres of monocrotophos 36SL in 250 litres of water per ha at the initiation of starbud stage, and repeat after two weeks if necessary.
2. Cabbage Semilooper, Thysanoplusia Orichalcea (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae):
Control:
Spray or 1.250 litres of endosulfan 35EC or 500 ml of dichlorvos 85SL in 250 litres of water per ha. Repeat after two weeks, if necessary.
3. Cutworms, Agrotis Spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae):
The cutworms may be serious during March-April in fields where sunflower follows potato. Caterpillars cut the seedlings at the ground level.
Control:
(i) Sow the crop in ridges to avoid cutworm damage in the germinating seedlings.
(ii) Where flat sowing is practiced, apply 5 litres of chlorpyriphos 20EC per ha before sowing. The insecticide should be mixed in 25 kg fine soil and broadcasted uniformly in the field after last ploughing but before planking.