Sugarcane diseases & their management

Fungus, bacteria and virus cause diseases to sugarcane crop. These are transmitted from one plant to another and one field to another field either by original seed set or causal organism already in the soil or spores are carried by blowing wind. Some of the diseases of sugarcane crop and their suggested control measures are discussed here.

1. Red rot disease: This disease is caused by a fungus Colletotrichum falcatum: Red rod disease appears in July. Leaves start loosing colour and withering. The stalk becomes dry, wrinkled, hollow and alcoholic smell is emitted. To control disease, if a very few plants are affected then uproot these plants and burn them otherwise discord the whole of the field and do not grow this crop in the same field for at least three years. Fresh sowing should be done with seed-sets from resistant variety, dipping these in 0.25% solution of Agallol or Aretan for 2-3 minutes.

2. Smut: The disease is caused in April by Ustilago scitaminea in the form of a long, black whiplike structure at the apex of the stalk. It spreads by wind. To control the disease, if affected plants are very few, carefully cut down the apex of the plant in such a way that spores do not spread, by covering with suitable paper-bag and burn it out along with the uprooted affected plant. Otherwise discard and burn the whole field and do not grow sugarcane crop at least for three years in the same field. Fresh sowings are done with resistant varieties.

3. Wilt: The disease is caused by a fungus Cephalosporium sacchari. The crown leaves become yellow during late season and cane dries. To control the disease, if the affected plants are very i few, then uproot these and bum them otherwise discard or bum i the while field. Fresh sowings are done with resistant variety.

4. Albino (grassy shoot): The disease is caused by a virus. Pale yellow narrow leaves appear in abundance. The plant look like a grass. To control the disease, if the number of the affected plants is not large, uproot and destroy the affected clumps, otherwise discard the field. Fresh sowing is done after 3-4 years with seed-sets from resistant variety and treat sets at 54°C for 8 hours to inactivate the casual Virus.

5. Red stripe: The disease is caused by bacteria Xanthomonas rubrilineans. It appears in May. Leaves show red streaks. To control this disease, if affected plants are a few in number, then rogue out these and bum them, otherwise discard tile whole field. Fresh sowings are done with resistant variety in well drained soils.