Effect of funnel ants on eleven commercial clones of sugarcane at Tully

Abstract

Funnel ant activity was independent of cane clone, suggesting that there is no resistance to funnel ants in the commercial clones tested. The clones Q107 and Q117 performed poorly in the presence of funnel ants, a phenomenon also seen on infested farms throughout the Tully district. Q138 was confirmed as a variety able to produce high yields despite funnel ant infestation. H56-752 was a consistent high producer throughout the three years of the trial. Q124 and Q120 also peformed relatively well, despite Q120 being previously listed as susceptible to damage by funnel ants. The soil type at the trial site was a recent alluvium