Effect of chlorotic streak on the yield of sugarcane

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Río Piedras to determine the extent to which sugarcane yields are reduced by chlorotic streak. Results with the following were compared: (A) Infected seed, (B) noninfected seed, (C) infected-treated seed, (D) noninfected-treated seed. Cane developed from noninfected sugarcane seed pieces produced significantly higher yields than that developed from infected stock. Immersion in hot water (52°C. for 20 minutes) significantly reduced the incidence of the disease and increased the yields of cane and of sugar. An increase of about 45 percent in sugar production was obtained by planting noninfected healthy sugarcane seed pieces instead of infected nontreated seed pieces. The proper selection of good seed pieces free from infection with chlorotic streak will give higher yields of cane without the expense of treating the seed pieces to control the infection.