14n Assessment of the Status of Sugarcane Diseases

An attempt has been made to assess the status of different cane diseases in the South African sugar industry. Factors taken into account are present incidence, potential for further spread,, estimated losses in yield and possibilities for control. It is shown that diseases are causing significant losses in yield but that the major proportion of present losses, that due to ratoon stunting disease, can be easily prevented by growers. Smut is becoming more important in the northern irrigated areas and in parts of Zululand and is now of great concern. Outbreaks of mosaic are occurring increasingly frequently in the southern and high altitude areas of production. Rust, red rot and basal stem rot are also more evident now than in previo~is seasons. The necessity for growers to regard disease control as an important and routine aspect of cane management is stressed.