INFESTATION OF SUGARCANE BORERS AND REMEDY BY FARMING COMMUNITY AT DARGAI MALAKAND

A study was conducted to record sugarcane borer infestation at dargai malakand during the year 2012. the experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. data were recorded on weekly basis from the 3rd week of june to the 1st week of september. the lowest infestation (8.30%) was recorded during the 3rd week of june with gradual increase to its peak (52.90%) in the 3rd week of july. the percentage infestation recorded in the 4th week of june was 16.1 followed by 25.8 and 42.09% in the 1st and 2nd week of july; respectively before pesticide application. after spray application the lowest infestation recorded was 19.7% during the 1st week of september and the highest (38.6%) in the 4th week of july. the infestation recorded during the 1st week of august was 32.9% followed by 28.8, 26.0 and 23.3% in the 2nd, 3rdand 4th week of august. maximum reduction in the infestation was recorded during 1st week of september which was 56.74% followed by 52.6, 49.80, 46.39 and 37.51% in the 4th, 3rd 2nd and 1st week of august and 26.01 % in the 4th week of july. the study concluded that lorsban proved to be an effective chemical against sugarcane borer in the field and is recommended to use this pesticide to suppress the pest population significantly.