Resistance evaluation of sugarcane mutants to Sporisorium scitamineum the causal agent of sugarcane smut disease
N Hidayah, K S Wijayanti, M Murianingrum, T Yulianti, B Heliyanto

Indonesian Sweetener and Fiber Crops Research Institute
Jl Raya Karangploso PO BOX 199 Malang Jawa Timur Indonesia 65152

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of important crops as it can produce a broad range of valuable products including food, health, agriculture, and bioplastic. However, it is vulnerable from Sporisorium scitamineum infection. The fungus infects the host through the buds. The disease is characterized by the emergence of whip-like structure at the top of the host plant. The use of resistant varieties is believed to be a proper control method for the disease. Induced mutation is one of breeding program methods that can be considered to acquire resistant varieties of sugarcane to smut disease. In 2018, we did mutation for some sugarcane varieties then in 2019 the mutants were screened for its resistance to smut disease. The inoculation method was conducted by dipping the cane bud into S. scitamineum teliospore suspension for 10 minutes at 30oC. The buds were then planted and maintained in the polybags. The results showed that out of 41 evaluated mutants, 20 of them were resistant, six mutants were moderately susceptible, and 15 mutants were very susceptible to smut disease infection. It seems that we could obtain resistant sugarcane varieties through induced mutation, however the resistance of the cane are still being evaluated during ratoon stage.

Keywords: induced mutation, sugarcane smut disease, Sporisorium scitamineum

Topic: Integrated Pest and Disease Management