Red rot of Sugarcane
Red rot is one of the major diseases of sugarcane found in many areas of the world. It was first described in 1983.
Pathogen
- Colletotrichum falcatum
Symptoms
- The first symptom of red rot in the field is discoloration of the young leaves.
- The margins and tips of the leaves wither and leaves droop.
- The discoloration and withering continues from the tip of the leaf base.
- When a diseased plant is open, a characteristic sour odour comes out, indicating the disease.
- The tissues reddened throughout the basal portion and vascular bundle with white patches. These white patches are the characteristic symptom of red rot of sugarcane.
Control measures
- The selected part should be chosen from healthy plants.
- For seed disinfection, bordeaux mixture can be used.
- Burning measures can be taken for infected leaves and cane.
- Proper sanitation.
- Resistant varieties can be used to control the disease.
