Sugarcane is an important cash crop that is cultivated around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Its yield is affected by several biotic and abiotic factors, and fungal diseases are among the most serious and damaging of these factors.
Fungal attack on sugarcane crops can lead to significant yield losses, reduced quality of the sugarcane stalks, and increased cost of control measures. Some of the common fungal diseases that affect sugarcane are rust, smut, anthracnose, and red rot.
Rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia melanocephala and is characterized by small, yellow to orange-red pustules that erupt on the leaves, stems, and sheaths of the sugarcane plants. These pustules release spores that spread the disease to neighboring plants. Rust can cause significant yield losses, especially if it occurs during the early stages of growth.
Smut is caused by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum and is characterized by the formation of black sooty masses on the inflorescence of the sugarcane plants. These masses contain spores that can infect other plants. Smut can cause considerable damage to the sugarcane crop by reducing the yield and quality of the stalks.
Anthracnose is caused by various species of fungi in the genus Colletotrichum and is characterized by the formation of dark, sunken lesions on the leaves and stalks of the sugarcane plants. Anthracnose can cause significant yield losses, especially if it occurs during the early stages of growth.
Red rot is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum falcatum and is characterized by the formation of red or brown discoloration on the internodes of the sugarcane plants. Red rot can reduce the yield and quality of the sugarcane crop and also increase the cost of control measures.
To prevent fungal attack on sugarcane crops, farmers should adopt integrated disease management strategies that include the use of resistant varieties, proper crop management practices, and if necessary, the use of fungicides. Early detection and timely control measures are crucial for minimizing yield losses and maintaining high-quality sugarcane stalks.
In conclusion, fungal diseases are a major threat to sugarcane crops. Farmers need to be aware of the symptoms of these diseases and adopt effective preventative measures to keep their crops healthy and productive.