Abstract-

Sugarcane is an important cash crop in India used as a main source of raw material for sugar and bioethanol production. Diseases are major constraints in sugarcane production leading to economic yield losses. A roving survey was conducted in coastal region (Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, East Godavari and Krishna districts) of Andhra Pradesh from 2017-18 to 2019-20 crop seasons to identify the major diseases responsible for yield losses in sugarcane. Diseases caused by fungi and viruses were found to be the major threats to sugarcane cultivation in Andhra Pradesh. Fungal diseases like smut, wilt and Pokkah boeng were more prevalent in the areas surveyed and red rot incidence was seen in pockets where susceptible cultivars like Co 62175 and CoV 89101 are under cultivation. Wilt was recorded in genotypes, like Co 62175, CoA 92081, CoA 05323, CoA 14321, CoV 95101, 81V 46 and 2012V 23, in sugarcane monocropped areas. Sugarcane mosaic was found to be widespread in the varieties, CoV 09356 and CoA 92081, from formative stage to grand growth stage of the crop in most of the districts surveyed, but was of greatest concern in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts. Other viral disease, yellow leaf disease caused by Sugarcane yellow leaf virus, was prevalent in cultivars like CoV 09356 and CoA 11321 in East Godavari, Krishna and Visakhapatnam districts. Increased incidence of phytoplasmal disease, grassy shoot, was noticed in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts in the cultivars, CoA 14321 and Co 86032. Stray incidence of diseases like leaf fleck and stem rot caused by Sugarcane bacilliform virus and Schizophyllum species, respectively, were also noticed during the survey. Results of the study indicated emergence and spread of viral diseases like mosaic, yellow leaf disease and leaf fleck besides reduction in red rot incidence in the areas surveyed.

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