This work was carried out to evaluate the influence of the fertilization of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, on the stem borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr., 1794) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) biology. It was used the variety Rubi-Asgrow. The treatments were (NK doses): N1 = 0-200 ppm; N2 = 50-200 ppm; N3 = 100-200 ppm; N4 = 200-200 ppm; N5 = 400-200 ppm; K1 = 200-0 ppm; K2 = 200-50 ppm; K3 = 200-100 ppm; K4 = 200-200 ppm and K5 = 200-400 ppm. It was possible to conclude that nitrogen doses from 50 to 200 ppm provide a normal development for D. saccharalis larvae, although the lowest percentage of damage was verified with the lowest dose; while for the potassium, the highest dose favoured the caterpillars development, but less damage was observed on the plants.
sugarcane borer; Sorghum bicolor; biology; insecta
