Red Rot Control

Symptoms

Look for drooping and yellowing of the third and fourth leaves followed by drying of the whole cane. On splitting the stalk lengthwise the inner tissue is red with crosswise white patches, and it gives a sour, alcohol like smell. Affected canes are hollow and shrunken with red discolouration spreading along the internodes.

Damage

Red rot, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum falcatum, is the most destructive sugarcane disease in India and can cause heavy yield and sugar loss. The popular variety Co 0238, once moderately resistant, has become widely susceptible due to a new pathotype and large scale monoculture, leading to severe outbreaks in north India. The disease spreads through infected setts, soil and water.

Organic & cultural control

Grow resistant varieties and reduce the area under highly susceptible Co 0238 as advised by experts. Use healthy disease free seed from a reliable source and treat setts with bio agents like Trichoderma. Remove and destroy affected clumps immediately, follow crop rotation with rice or other non host crops, and ensure good drainage to avoid waterlogging that favours the disease.

Chemical control

Treat setts before planting using a Sett Treatment Device or by dipping in a recommended fungicide solution such as carbendazim, which protects against red rot for several months. Moist hot air or aerated steam therapy of seed cane also reduces infection. Always read and follow the product label, observe the pre-harvest interval, and consult your KVK or a qualified agronomist before applying.

Always follow the product label, the recommended pre-harvest interval, and your local KVK or agronomist. Pesticide approvals change, so verify before use.

Prevention

Choose resistant varieties and avoid large scale monoculture of any single variety like Co 0238, which led to the recent breakdown. Always plant healthy, treated setts from a disease free seed plot, and never take seed from a red rot affected field. Rogue out affected clumps, rotate with rice, ensure good drainage, and avoid ratooning a diseased crop.