Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Abstract

Screening of Sugarcane Varieties/Lines against Whip Smut Disease in Relation to Epidemiological Factors

Sarmad Mansoor, Asmlam Khan M and Nasir Ahmed Khan

Whip smut caused by (Ustilago scitaminea) is an important fungal disease, which is widely distributed all over the world causing huge losses in sugarcane crop. Sugarcane crop basically required humid and hot climate for its development which is also favorable for the different diseases in sugarcane. Epidemiological factors play an important role for the development and the management of different diseases. They are also used as disease prediction models. Epidemiological factors are very important for the development and spread of pathogen causing smut of sugarcane. Out of fifteen promising varieties/ lines, eight were found resistant (S2006-US-469, S2006- US-272, S2005-US-54, S2008-AUS-130, S2006-US-658, S2008-AUS-190, S2008-AUS-107, S2009-SA-169), six were moderately susceptible(S2008-M-34, S2008-AUS-133, S2003-US-127, S2003-US-704, S2008-Fd-19, S2008- AUS-87) and one (S2003-US-618 had susceptible reaction against the disease. There was positive correlation of relative humidity with disease incidence and negative correlation of maximum and minimum temperature with disease incidence.