Effect of Stalk Desiccation on Sugarcane Red Rot

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Agronomy
• Crop Science

Background:

• Sugarcane red rot, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum falcatum, is a significant disease affecting sugarcane production.
• Drought stress is a common abiotic factor that can influence plant disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of drought conditions at planting time on sugarcane red rot severity.
• To determine the interaction between drought stress and Colletotrichum falcatum infection in sugarcane.

Main Methods:

• Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions and in the field.
• Detached sugarcane stalks were inoculated with C. falcatum and subjected to desiccation treatments.
• Disease severity was assessed using metrics such as node rot extension, number of rotted nodes, and internode rot severity.

Main Results:

• Desiccation treatment significantly increased red rot severity in five sugarcane cultivars under controlled conditions.
• In field trials, planting inoculated stalks exposed to desiccation resulted in the lowest shoot populations.
• Some sugarcane cultivars exhibited adverse effects from desiccation alone, independent of fungal inoculation.

Conclusions:

• Drought conditions occurring during the initial growth stages of sugarcane can exacerbate red rot severity.
• The interaction between drought stress and C. falcatum infection poses a significant threat to sugarcane cultivation.
• Cultivar-specific responses to drought and red rot highlight the need for resistant varieties.