Effects of Fusarium spp. on Germination and Stem Rot of Sugarcane in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Fusarium moniliforme and F. roseum were isolated from the diseased seedpieces of sugarcane plants. Various methods were employed to inoculate canes with the different isolates, i.e., seedpiece-dipping, addition of inoculum to the substrate, and stem-puncture. F. moniliforme reduced germination of variety P.O.J. 2878 as much as 40 percent when seedpiece-dipping and substrate infection methods were used. Inoculation with F. roseum had little effect. Sugarcane varieties P.O.J. 2878, P.R. 1117, P.R, 980, P.R. 1059, P.R. 1085 and N: Co. 310 proved susceptible in varying degrees when inoculated with F. moniliforme by the stem-puncture method. Among the chemicals tested, Benlate, a systemic fungicide, seemed to be most promising for protecting sugarcane seedpieces against Fusarium rot