Sugarcane yield and quality are greatly reduced by Sett Rot disease, a fungal disease. A soil-borne fungus that survives as conidia and chlamydospores in cane tissues cause the disease. Wind-borne conidia, irrigation, rainfall, and insects like cane borer (Diatraea dyari) spread it. This blog will cover Sett Rot Disease symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment choices, including chemical, biological, natural, and organic methods. Farmers may manage Sett Rot Disease and save their sugarcane crops properly.
Sett Rot Management in Sugarcane
The causal organisms of Sett Rot Disease
- The fungus Ceratocytis paradoxa causal organism of Sett Rot Disease, generates both macroconidia and microconidia.
- Conidiophores are thin-walled and linear, with short cells at the base and a lengthy terminal cell.
- The microconidia are thin-walled, cylindrical, and endogenously made in chains in the long cells of conidiophores before being pushed out in sequence.
- Macroconidia are hyaline to dark green or black in size and are spherical, elliptical, truncate, or pyriform.
- Chlamydospores, which are oval, thick-walled, and brown in appearance, are also produced by the fungus.
- The perithecia are flask-shaped with a long neck and are embellished with irregularly shaped, knobbed limbs.
- Asci are clavate and 25x10m, while ascospores are single-celled, hyaline, ellipsoid, more curved on one side, and 7-10 x 2.5-4m in size.
The Disease cycle of Sett rot Disease
- The fungus responsible for Sett Rot Disease produces spores (called conidia) and sporogonia (called chlamydospores) that can live on the earth and infect cane tissues.
- The conidia that cause the disease travel from one area to another on the wind or water from irrigation or rainfall.
- Cane borer (Diatraea yari) insects also play a role in the disease’s spreading.
- Coconut, cocoa, mango, papaya, coffee, maize, and areca nut are just some products the pathogen can use.
- Sett rot is caused by a fungus quickly spreading through the parenchymatous tissues inside the sett.
Causes/conditions favorable for Sett Rot Disease in the field
Sett Rot Disease grows in fields with heavy clay soils, poor drainage, and temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. Long-lasting rain after planting also creates the ideal environment for spreading the disease. Farmers need to be aware of these problems and do what they must to deal with or stop Sett Rot Disease in their sugarcane crops. Sugarcane set rot spreads rapidly during the rainy season, drying out the crop and leaving no usable cane. Air, rain splash and soil are intermediary infection routes.
Symptoms of Sett Rot Disease
- Sett Rot Disease can make infected shoots perish after growing to a height of 6 to 12 inches or cause setts to rot before germination.
- Infected setts lose their crimson hue and turn black, with numerous black fungal spores clinging to them.
- Stunted, chlorotic, and potentially wilting stems are signs of infection.
- The afflicted shoots’ centers develop a reddish discoloration, and the sett’s contents rot.
- Affected setts release a rotten sugarcane smell when cut open.
In case you missed it: Red Rot Management in Sugarcane: Symptoms, Identification, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control
Percentage of the yield loss due to Sett Rot Disease in Sugarcane
Sett Rot Disease typically results in yield losses of 10% to 50% or even greater in severe cases in sugarcane. Poor germination rates, stunted development, and increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases are additional effects of the disease.
Sett Rot Management in Sugarcane by Cultural Method
- Reduce sett rot disease by growing resistant and highly resistant varieties.
- Dip cut tips and sets in fungicides like 1% Bordeaux mixtures.
- Carbendazim 50 WP soil drenching and early clump removal can control the illness. (1 gm in 1 liter of water). Before sowing, you need disease-free setts.
- Rotate rice into the infected area for one season, then two seasons of other crops to control the illness.
- Gather and burn field-infected leaves and canes to stop the disease. Cultural control can reduce sugarcane sett rot disease.
Sett Rot Management in Sugarcane by Biological Method
Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride biocontrol Sett Rot disease well. T. harzianum and T. viride at 10 g/kg setts lowered disease incidence by 68.6% and 71.5%, respectively. Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens also reduced disease frequency.
Sett Rot Management in Sugarcane by Chemical Method
Chemical methods can also be used to manage Sett Rot disease in sugarcane. One effective approach is to treat setts with fungicides such as Carbendazim or Bavistin before planting. It can be done by soaking the setts in a solution of Bavistin at a concentration of 1% or Carbendazim 50 WP at a concentration of 0.5 gm in 1 liter of water or Carbendazim 25 DS at a concentration of 1gm in 1 liter of water along with Urea at a concentration of 10 gm in 1 liter of water for 5 minutes.
Additionally, pre-treatment of the setts with hot water has been found to stimulate bud germination and hasten growth, helping the young plants overcome competition with the pathogen.
Sett Rot Management in Sugarcane by Organic/Natural Method
Trichoderma and Pseudomonas, soil microorganisms, may hinder the Sett Rot Disease fungus. Biocontrol agents can be applied to soil or seeds before sowing. Organic amendments like neem cake or compost can help soil health and the plant’s disease resistance. Crop rotation, intercropping, and legume-mixed cropping can lower Sett Rot Disease.
Preventive Measures for Control of Sett Rot Disease
- Plant disease-free setts.
- Rotate with rice, vegetables, or legumes for two years to stop the disease cycle.
- The pathogen prefers badly drained fields and clay soils, so avoid planting there.
- Avoid overwatering and ensure proper draining, especially in early growth.
- Use disease-resistant sugarcane.
- Burn infected leaves and canes for field health.
- Composting and biocontrol agents improve soil health and suppress disease.
In case you missed it: Top Borer Management in Sugarcane: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control
Conclusion
Sett Rot Disease threatens sugarcane production. Disease management requires early discovery and control. To control Sett Rot Disease, use cultural, physical, chemical, biological, and organic means.
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