Effects of Roguing on Yield and Smut of Sugarcane

Abstract

SUMMARYSugarcane yields and smut incidence levels were observed in three successive crops. The effect of pathogen upon host was primarily one of stress, as smut infection was shown to increase sucrose content of cane whilst depressing yields in tonnes of cane per ha. Where infection levels were high, roguing was shown to increase disease incidence. However, smut whip removal was confirmed as the best roguing treatment for commercial fields. Disease control and yield responses related to roguing effort were much better in NCo 376 than NCo 310; and, therefore, continued cultivation of NCo 310 fields with high smut incidence was concluded to be a major hazard to the industry.