Chemical control of sugarcane smut through sett treatment with fungicides.

Abstract

Accepted : April, 2009 Culmicolous smut (Ustilago scitamineae) is cosmopolitan in distribution and is one of the most dreadful disease of sugarcane. The disease was first reported from Natal in South Africa around 1877 according to a reports of the Victoria planters association. It is quite difficult to make a precise assessment of the economic importance of smut, since most estimates of yield loss are based on observation and experience rather than rigorous experimentation. In addition to cane tonnage losses, smut also appears to reduce cane quality. However, loss may be quite severe in susceptible varieties under conditions suitable for disease development. Rao et al..(1985) reported loss in yield (68 to 80%) and juice quality (32%) in susceptible varieties which was further increased in ratoons. The decrease in cane yields is due to decreased number of millable canes and size of cane girth. Smut epidemics in various countries suggest that disease severity is associated with hot dry climates where crop may experience water stress (Singh et al., 1988). Padmanabhan et al. (1987) stated a negative and significant correlation existed between smut incidence and yield. Growing resistant varieties is the best method to curtail the disease. Breeding and selection process in sugarcane are cumbersome. Though hot water treatment is suggested for the control of smut disease. Bailey (1983) found that sett treatment for 2h at 50 C with 500 ppm of triademifon had a significantly lower rate of infection in the resultant crop than did the equivalent controls.

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