Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

A REVIEW ON INTEGRATED DISEASE MANAGEMENT OF RED ROT OF SUGARCANE CAUSED BY COLLETOTRICHUM FALCATUM

Jyothi Anna Kurian and M.D. Jehani

Abstract

Red rot of sugarcane caused by Colletotrichum falcatum Went is one of the devastating diseases of sugarcane, causing significant loss to sugarcane production in India and other countries. However, varietal breakdown to red rot caused severe epiphytic in countries, particularly in Asia, where resistant varieties fail on a regular basis. In India between 1932 and 1942, a virulent strain of red rot materialized, which resulted in the withdrawal of numerous susceptible types and finally endangered the sugar industry. Among the pathogens of sugarcane Colletotrichum falcatum causes the most substantial economic loss (5-50%) in sugarcane. Because of the pathogen’s highly variable nature, which breaks red rot resistant varieties in a short period of time, breeding resistant varieties is the major challenge for sugarcane breeders. Currently, there is no feasible way to prevent the disease from spreading, so we need to follow integrated disease management. The red rot of sugarcane management will benefit from integration of cultural practices, resistant varieties, physical practices, biocontrol practices and chemical practices.