Fusarium diseases affecting sugarcane production in India

Abstract

Sugarcane is a major food and bioenergy crop in India and many fungal pathogens impact cane cultivation across the country. The fungal pathogen Fusarium sacchari causes wilt in sugarcane stalks and severely affects cane production and productivity in the crop. Many commercial varieties were lost due to their severity to the disease. East coast regions, South Gujarat and subtropical plains are identified as the disease endemic regions in the Country. More damages to cane stalks are expected if the disease occurs in association with red rot. Based on morphological and molecular profiles of the isolates F. sacchari was identified as the causal organism. Among the molecular markers, ISSR and IGS-RFLP established variation in F. sacchari efficiently and distinguished this species with other Fusarium spp. Pokkah boeng (PB), another Fusarium disease in sugarcane is characterized by twisting of young leaves and morphological changes in spindle. Under Indian conditions, F. sacchari and F. proliferatum are found associated with PB. Recently, epidemic occurrences of PB are noticed in both the tropical and subtropical regions in the country and its current severity scenario suggests that the disease has become a major disease from minor disease, possibly due to climate changes and this needs detailed investigation. The paper reviews scenario of wilt and PB in the country, impact of the diseases on sugarcane, pathogens and their variability, disease resistance and management.