Sugarcane disease: Red Rot

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.