Symptoms
Drooping, yellowing leaves followed by internal reddening of the cane with crosswise white patches and a sour alcoholic smell when split. Affected canes lose sugar and may hollow out.
Prevention
Plant resistant varieties and disease-free seed cane and avoid waterlogging. Rotate crops and destroy infected crop residue after harvest.
Treatment
Organic
Treat seed setts with a Trichoderma suspension and remove infected stools promptly. Improve drainage to deny the fungus the moisture it needs.
Chemical (last resort)
Dip seed setts in carbendazim before planting and spot-treat early outbreaks. Field cure is difficult once internal rot sets in — observe PHI.
Affects 1 crop
Sources
MARDI Sugarcane Production Guide; DOA IPM Manual