Pokkah Boeng: An Emerging Disease of Sugarcane

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops for the sugar production in India and Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the top on sugarcane while second in sugar production. Many biotic and abiotic stresses affected the sugarcane production among the reported diseases of sugarcane; Pokkah boeng is now playing a very important role due to its economic threats in UP. Recent survey during 2007-13 showed increasing trend of disease incidence and most of the commercial cultivars affected by the disease ranged from 1%-90%. Although Pokkah boeng comes under minor concern but these days it is going to be major on basis of their rapid epidemiology during last few years. Nowadays, the incidence and severity of Pokkah boeng disease has been reported from major sugarcane growing states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Bihar in India and other sugarcane growing countries. Keeping in view the seriousness of the problem, the present review summarise the distribution, establish a suitable genetic base and disease management practices through various approaches.