Yield Loss in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Due to Smut Disease in Some Selected Genotypes under Sudan Conditions

This study was conducted at Sugarcane Research Centre, Guneid, (Latitude 15° N, longitude 33° E) in 2008/2009 cropping season. Currently, sugarcane contributes substantially to the national economy in Sudan. The aim was to estimate the amounts of losses (field and factory) incurred on sugarcane by the effects of smut disease of sugarcane caused by Ustilago scitaminea (Syd.). From some selected sugarcane genotypes, replicated cane stalk samples were taken from each of three cane categories: whip-bearing canes from diseased stools (WBC-DS), seemingly healthy looking canes from diseased stools (AHC-DS), and healthy canes from healthy stools (HC-HS). In comparison to healthy canes, brix, sucrose content (pol %), estimated recoverable sugar (ERS), and stalk weight all showed substantial reductions of 5%, 4%, 5%, and 40%, respectively. The fibre content of whip bearing cane stalks was 7% than that of HC-HS and AHC-DS, which is harmful and responsible for ERS losses. Moisture content and purity were however, found to be unaffected by the disease. Smut disease causes losses in most cane yield parameters in both the field and the factory, according to this report. As a result, cane growers must better control this disease, with the most feasible method being the propagation and use of disease-resistant/tolerant sugarcane genotypes, augmented by crop sanitation to keep inoculum levels down.