Economic threshold levels given for sorghum: shoot fly – 1 egg per plant in 10% of plants in the first two weeks, or 10% dead hearts; mite – 5 mites per cm² of leaf; stem borer – 10% damage; grain midge – 5 per earhead; earhead caterpillar – 2 per earhead; earhead bug – 10 per earhead.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Crop protection, ETL, pp. 76–77
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Pest prevention without chemicals
Plough soon after harvest, and remove and destroy the stubble. Complete sorghum sowing in an area in as short a time as possible, so that flowering is not spread out, which favours grain midge and earhead bug. Set up light traps until midnight to monitor and kill adults of stem borer, grain midge and earhead caterpillars. Avoid repeated insecticide sprays, which may cause pest resurgence.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Pest management, pp. 76–77
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Shoot fly
Sow early, immediately after the South-West or North-East monsoon rains begin, to reduce shoot fly. In direct seeding, use an increased seed rate and remove shoot fly–damaged seedlings at thinning. If transplanting, use only healthy seedlings. Set up fish meal traps at 12 per hectare until the crop is 30 days old.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Pest management (Shoot fly), p. 77
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Stem borer and earhead caterpillar: non-chemical measures
Sow lablab or cowpea as an intercrop (sorghum : lablab/cowpea 4:1) to reduce stem borer damage. For earhead caterpillar, set up sex pheromone traps at 12 per hectare from flowering to grain hardening, and apply NPV at 1.5 x 10^12 POB with crude sugar 2.5 kg and cotton seed kernel powder 250 g on the earheads twice at a 10-day interval, preferably in the early morning or evening. Neem seed kernel extract 5% is also listed.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Pest management (Stem borer, earhead caterpillar), p. 77
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray
The source lists insecticides and fungicides for shoot fly, stem borer, grain midge, earhead bug, earhead caterpillar, stored-grain weevil and several diseases. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Choose a product only with your local Agriculture Officer, and spray only after the pest crosses the threshold level.
Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Pest & disease management, pp. 76–78
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Disease prevention
Adjust the sowing period to prevent flowering during the rainy and winter seasons (this helps against grain diseases such as ergot and head mould). Rogue out downy mildew–infected plants up to 45 days after sowing. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens at 10 g/kg or Trichoderma viride at 4 g/kg of seed is also listed.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Disease management, p. 78
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Rust
For rust, spray mancozeb at 1 kg/ha, and repeat the fungicide application after 10 days.
Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Disease management (Rust), p. 78
