Sorghum production faces significant pressure from pests like aphids and fall armyworms. This biological control plan focuses on “Biorational Management” to maintain yield while protecting the agro-ecosystem.

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1. Biological Control of Major Pests

Sorghum’s dense canopy requires a combination of microbial agents and predatory insects.

• Sorghum Aphid (Melanaphis sacchari):
  • Biopesticides: Use Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogenic fungi) at the early infestation stage. Botanical oils like Neem oil can also be used as a contact repellent.
  • Natural Enemies: Release or conserve Lady beetles, Lacewings, and Hoverflies. In specific regions, the release of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (parasitoid wasps) is highly effective in parasitizing aphid colonies.
• Fall Armyworm (FAW) & Sorghum Midge:
  • Microbial Toxins: Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or Spinosad (derived from soil bacteria) during the whorl stage to target young larvae.
  • Pheromone Trapping: Deploy Sex Pheromone Lures to monitor and mass-trap adult moths, disrupting their mating cycle.
  • Trichogramma Wasps: Release Trichogramma pretiosum (egg parasitoids) to kill pest eggs before they hatch into damaging larvae.

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2. Biological Control of Major Diseases

The focus is on preventing soil-borne and seed-borne infections.

• Sorghum Head Smut & Grain Mold:
  • Seed Treatment: Coat seeds with Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas fluorescens to create a protective bio-shield against fungal pathogens during germination.
  • Bio-Fertilizers: Apply organic fertilizers enriched with Trichoderma harzianum to suppress soil-borne pathogens and enhance plant systemic acquired resistance (SAR).

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3. Ecological & Cultural Control (The “Push-Pull” System)

Sorghum is a primary candidate for the globally recognized “Push-Pull” technology:

• The “Pull”: Plant Napier grass around the sorghum field to attract (pull) stem borer moths away from the crop.
• The “Push”: Intercrop with Desmodium (a legume), which emits chemicals that repel (push) moths and suppresses the parasitic weed Striga (witchweed).

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4. Key Implementation Schedule

Growth Stage	Core Method	Target
Sowing	Bio-Seed Coating (B. subtilis)	Head Smut, Damping-off
Whorl Stage	Bt Spraying / Trichogramma Release	Fall Armyworm, Stem Borers
Heading/Flowering	Pheromone Traps + Fungal Sprays	Sorghum Midge, Aphids

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Technical Tips for Success:

• Nozzle Precision: For aphids, ensure the spray reaches the underside of the leaves.
• Humidity Matters: Microbial agents like Metarhizium work best when relative humidity is above 60%.