How to Control Stem Borer Pests?
How to Effectively Control Stem Borer in Crops?
Dear farmers, stem borer is a recurring pest that causes significant crop losses each year. This year too, many farmers have shared photos and updates where plants are drying due to stem borer infestation. Today, let’s understand how to identify and control it effectively.
How to Identify Stem Borer?
The larvae of the stem borer enter the stem from underground and damage the internal part, cutting off the plant’s nutrient supply.
Symptoms:
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Plants start wilting
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Leaves show signs of nutrient deficiency
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Plants may die or reach dying condition
How to Inspect the Stem?
Farmers who did not perform seed treatment should uproot and inspect 20 random plants from the field.
Steps:
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Uproot the plant, split the stem vertically into two parts
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Observe the internal section carefully
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In at least 5–7 out of 20 plants, the stem borer larva may be found
Treatment for Infested Plants:
Once the borer starts hollowing out the stem, the plant's nutrient flow stops. So, early seed treatment is crucial.
If you observe signs of hollow stems, spray with the following insecticides:
Recommended Insecticides:
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Rage or Ravadi – This is a multi-functional insecticide effective against:
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Stem borers
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Leaf-eating caterpillars
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Sap-sucking insects
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Dosage:
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15 ml per 10–15 liter pump
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Adjust quantity based on sprayer size
If plant growth is low:
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Use Refresh, Top-Up, or 19:19:19 along with it
If plant growth is sufficient:
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Only insecticide is enough – no need for additional additives
Why Rage or Ravadi?
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Effectively kills borers
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Works inside the stem as well
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Controls both chewing and sucking pests
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Delivers multi-benefits from a single spray
Note:
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If the larvae are only inside the stem, use Rage
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If larvae have also reached the leaves, use Ravadi
Conclusion:
Timely and accurate pest management is the only solution to stem borer infestation.
Always start with seed treatment, inspect your plants regularly, and apply the right insecticide as needed.
Protect your crop – don’t let yield loss happen!