Management of red rot disease in sugarcane
RED ROT is usually considered a stalk and a seed-piece disease.
Its symptoms are highly variable depending upon the susceptibility of the sugarcane variety and the environment.
Symptoms may not be apparent in the early stages of the disease. In the later stages red rot causes standing cane to `break down.'
Diagnostic symptoms
Diagnostic symptoms can best be observed by splitting the stalk lengthwise. The infected tissues have a dull red colour interspersed by occasional white patches across the stalk.
These white patches are specific to the disease and are of significance in distinguishing red rot from other stalk rots.
During monsoon, the disease spreads fast and the whole crop dries and not a single millable cane is obtained.
Effective prevention
The disease is caused by a fungus. Use of resistant varieties is the most effective method of prevention and control.
The incidence of red rot can be reduced through good cultural practices, such as clearing fields of excessive trash and efficient drainage.
Management practices
Avoidance of planting susceptible cultivars during cool and wet weather is effective. Regular rouging of diseased plants, burning of trash, ploughing affected fields, maintenance of proper soil moisture, and prompt harvesting of infected or susceptible crops are other management practices recommended. Bunding of affected field should be done to avoid movement of rain or floodwater.
Avoid ratooning
Ratooning of diseased crop should be avoided. Diseased crop should be harvested as early as possible. Crop rotation should be followed in affected fields.
However, better crop stands have been achieved by treating seed pieces with a fungicide before planting.
MALLIKARJUN KENGANAL
HEMAVATI RANEBENNUR & BYADGI A.S.
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
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