The objective of this work was to study the effect of insecticides on sugarcane root froghopper mortality and on the technological quality and yield of sugarcane, when they were applied at different times and rates during the froghopper infestation period. Three experiments were carried out under field conditions. Best control was obtained with aldicarb 150G 10kg/ha and carbofuran 100G 25kg/ha, applied in November. When the insecticides were applied in December or January, the efficiency was reduced, especially that of thiamethoxam, probably because the great rain volume after applications contributed to the insecticides leaching, reducing the absorption by the roots. The insecticides aldicarb 150G, carbofuran 100G and thiamethoxam 250WG, applied in December, produced the best insect control, higher stalk production and higher sugar yields, in comparison with aplication in January at 40% lower doses. The control of the the root froghopper, made untill December, resulted in yield increase. When the insecticides were applied in January at lower doses, some of them reduced pest infestations, but did not contribute to increase yield, probably because the root froghopper had already damaged the plants irreversibly.
Root froghopper; damage; chemical control; Saccharum
