Evaluation of Sugarcane genotypes/varieties against red rot of Sugarcane for tolerance determination

Red rot disease is one of the dangerous diseases of sugarcane, if it is not managed properly; sometimes the whole crop is destroyed. One method of inoculation was evaluated to assess the effect of Colletotrichum falcatum infection in different varieties of sugarcane. Assessment of relative performance of plug method of red rot inoculation was made. Inoculation was carried out in plug method as suggested by the AICRP on sugarcane. Freshly sporulation 7 to 10 days old cultures of CF 07, CF 08 and CF 13 Pathotypes were used for inoculation separately. The conidial mass was washed with 100 ml of sterile water and collected in a flask. Conidial suspension at a spore concentration of one million conidia (106 conidia per ml) was prepared for inoculation. Thus, 3rd exposed internode from bottom was taken in plug method and 5th or 6th node (which leaf sheath can be removed from the node without breaking/injuring the top) of the cane stalk. After careful removal of the leaves, a sterile absorbent cotton swab (just sufficient to cover the node and easily holds 1ml fluid) soaked in red rot inoculum was placed around the node and was sealed by wrapping Para film strip to prevent moisture loss. A total of twenty genotypes were evaluated for the resistance of red rot using inoculum of CF 07, CF 08 and CF 13 separately by plug method of inoculation. Three standards varieties (CoJ-64, CoS-767 and Co 0238) were inoculated to CF 07, CF 08 and CF 13 for the testing of red rot. The results from the recent study suggest that the utilization of identified resistance genotypes as donors in crossing would increase the frequency of red rot resistance in the progeny population for making effective selection and production of red rot resistant varieties in sugarcane.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the most important agro-industrial crops of India next to textile industry. It is grown in both tropical and subtropical belts of the country, later has a major concern with respect to the total pool of sugar production in the country. Productivity of sugarcane is function of many factors such as climate, soil, cultivar and biotic and abiotic stresses.

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