Resistance to Red Rot Disease (Colletotrichum falcatum) Varies among Different Germplasm Sources of Sugarcane

Resistance of sugarcane varieties to red rot disease is essential for their successful commercial cultivation in Pakistan. Evaluation of sugarcane germplasm for red rot resistance is a basic component of the varietal development system in Punjab. The studies on varietal screening against red rot disease of exotic sugarcane germplasm were conducted at the research farm of the Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011. The screening test was carried out at different varietal development stages including sugarcane nursery-2, nursery-3, semi-final varietal trial, final varietal trial and National Uniform Yield Trial by using plug method of inoculation. In three years, 724 sugarcane genotypes were examined in screening test against red rot disease, which were developed from germplasm (fuzz), imported from different sugarcane breeding organizations of the world. Fuzz is a true seed of sugarcane used to develop new sugarcane variety(ies) through repeated selection in any varietal development program. The results of three years experimentation revealed that 425 genotypes were resistant, 141 moderately resistant, 48 moderately susceptible and 110 susceptible to red rot disease. It was also concluded that sugarcane germplasm belongs to the USA, proved to be superior for resistance to red rot disease with 91% genotypes followed by Brazil and Australia with 86 and 68% genotypes, respectively, which were classified in resistant and moderately resistant category.