Surveying Potential Soilborne Pathogens Causing Sett Rot on Sugarcane in Southern Florida

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Pathology
• Soil Science

Background:

• Mechanical sugarcane harvesting can compromise seed cane integrity, increasing susceptibility to soilborne pathogens.
• Florida's transition to mechanical planting necessitates understanding pathogen risks to seed cane.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and correlations of Thielaviopsis and Fusarium in mechanically planted sugarcane seed cane in Florida.
• To identify relationships between soil types, sugarcane varieties, and pathogen incidence.
• To inform disease management strategies for sustainable sugarcane production.

Main Methods:

• Surveys of 569 seed cane samples over two planting seasons (2023-2024).
• Statistical analysis to determine correlations between soil types, sugarcane varieties, and pathogen presence.
• Spatial analysis using kernel density estimation to identify pathogen hotspots.

Main Results:

• Thielaviopsis sp. found in 43% and Fusarium sp. in 38% of samples.
• Positive correlation between muck soils and Thielaviopsis; Fusarium incidence was soil-independent.
• Specific sugarcane varieties showed distinct correlations with each pathogen, with CPCL05-1201 correlating with both.
• Pathogen hotspots identified spatially, aligning with varietal correlations.

Conclusions:

• Sugarcane variety selection and field practices are crucial for managing Thielaviopsis and Fusarium associated with mechanical planting.
• Findings provide actionable insights for growers to mitigate disease risks and support sustainable agricultural transitions.
• This research has broader implications for managing soilborne diseases in other crops.