Guide to Sugarcane Diseases in Florida

• •Sugarcane rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia melanocephela and has been a threat in Florida since 1978.
• •Estimated yield losses from sugarcane rust range from 20% to 40% during severe infestations.
• •Rust lesions typically measure 2-10 mm in length, occasionally reaching 30 mm.
• •Sulfur is the only registered chemical for rust control, but studies show it is ineffective or not economically viable.
• •Growers are advised to avoid planting susceptible varieties in low pH soil or areas with high phosphorus and potassium levels.
• •Fields recently treated with mill mud are highly prone to rust infection.
• •Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) was first observed in Florida in 1996 on the CP 72-2086 cultivar.
• •Mosaic virus is primarily spread by aphid vectors and infected seed cane.
• •The most effective control for both diseases is the use of resistant plant varieties.
• •Varietal diversification is recommended to reduce selection pressure for specific rust variants.

Local sugarcane growers face potential yield losses of 20% to 40% from rust and must manage the spread of mosaic virus to protect crop viability.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.