Occurrence of Banded Chlorosis of Sugarcane in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Chlorotic banding was first observed in Puerto Rico on the leaves of sugarcane P.R. 1059 at Central Aguirre. Since P.R. 1059 is a promising sugarcane variety, the trouble has caused considerable concern. A survey showed that the extent of chlorotic bandings varied with localities. A study of the records of the temperature patterns during the summer of 1964 showed that an outbreak of banding occurred mostly where high air temperatures had prevailed. As the cool season advanced, the symptom of chlorotic banding disappeared from the leaves of P.R. 1059. Since the symptoms are similar to those described for banded chlorosis of sugarcane, but no causal agent has been identified, the malady has been tentatively identified as banded chlorosis caused by high air temperatures.