Diseases of sugar cane in Morocco
| MSI99P0115 | |
| Autrey, L. J. C. Madrane, A. Hesse, F. W. | |
| Diseases of sugar cane in Morocco | |
| Periodical article | |
| 1990 | |
| Proc. 8th Congr. Mediter. Phytopath. Un., Morocco | |
| p. 485-486 | |
| Abstract only | |
| En | |
| En | |
| Sugar cane cultivation which was successful between the ninth and eighteenth centuries in Morocco was resumed on a commercial scale in the 1970's after pilot schemes in the preceding decade had shown that it was economically feasible. Diseases of both parasitic and non parasitic origins have since been identified. The non parasitic diseases include leaf fleck due to a mineral deficiency, interveinal chlorosis induced by unavailability of iron owing to alkaline pH, bunch top owing to reversion from inflorescence to vegetative state, variegation which is a genetical aberration and frost caused by low temperatures. These diseases are minor except frost which can induce considerable economic damage at intervals and which has justified the location of the three sugar cane perimeters in coastal areas where temperatures are milder. Three minor fungal diseases pokkah boeng, Fusarium monoliforme red rot, Glomerella tucumanensis and brown spot, Cercospora longipes have been observed. The bacterial disease red stripe Pseudomonas rubrilineans has been found in the Gharb perimeter on a negligible scale. Two mechanically transmissible virus diseases sugar cane mosaic virus strain D (SCMV-D) and sugar cane bacilliform virus (SCBV) have been identified in 1972 and 1985 respectively. No symptoms were found associated with SCBV which have particles 131 x 31 nm and which is a new disease in sugar cane. Research projects have been implemented on the epidemiology, host range, vector relationship and varietal reaction of the two viruses but more intensively with SCMV-D. Virus particles were successfully diagnosed by immunodiffusion, direct and indirect ELISA and immunoelectron microscopy. The application of control measures, especially uprooting of foci infection has led to the probable eradication of SCMV-D which has not been encountered since 1983 in the field, justifying the location of field trials to screen for resistance in Spain. The exact distribution of SCBV and its economic importance are being determined. Owing to the dry conditions prevailing in Morocco, introduction of smut disease Ustilago scitaminea which exists in nearly all African sugar cane producing countries, would cause considerable damage owing to the susceptibility of the two major varieties CP44101 and CP65957. Steps have therefore been taken to screen varieties grown in Morocco to the pathogen in Senegal and susceptible varieties will no more be released. There is circumstancial evidence that both ECMV-D and SCBV have been introduced into Morocco and an elaborate quarantine system has been established outside cane growing areas to ensure that important pathogens like leaf scald Xanthomonas albilineans and ratoon stunting disease Clavibacter xyli subsp xyli are not imported through diseased cuttings. Besides a nursery system consisting of four stages provides disease free planting material to growers. It is considered that the Moroccan sugar cane industry is in a priviledged situation as for as diseases are concerned and no effort is being spared to keep it as disease free as possible. | |
| SUGARCANE DISEASES MINERAL DEFICIENCIES GLOMERELLA TUCUMANENSIS GIBERELLA GORDONII POKKAH BOENG BROWN SPOT CERCOSPORA LONGIPES | |
| MOROCCO | |
| Sugarcane: Diseases and disease management | |
| General | |
| 1992-02-07 | |
| En | |
| Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute | |
| PATH |