According to researchers at Texas A&M University an insect only just seen last year referred to as the sugarcane aphid is set to cause major damage to the state’s grain sorghum crop worth $974 million to growers. Researchers do not know the insect’s origin – if it is new or if it has simply changed host plants. Last year the pest was discovered in parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Mexico where it quickly caused severe crop damage; in some cases wiping out entire crops. There is no approved control for the pest, but an insecticide called Transform WG has proven effective and the Texas Department of Agriculture has requested an emergency exemption from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its use on grain sorghum.
To receive relevant news stories with summaries provided by GAI Research & Insight, subscribe to Global AgDevelopments, our free bi-weekly enhanced eNews service