Abstract

Management of whip smut of sugar cane (sporisorium. scitamineum sydow & h. sydow.) with some plant extracts with fungicidal actions

Author(s): A.C.Wada, S.Dangana

Preliminary survey results from sugar cane farms in zone Aof Niger state showed some promise in the use of neem leaves, neem fruits (Azadirachta indica A Juss) and combretum bark (Combretum glutinosum) extracts in the management of sugar cane whip smut (S. scitamineum Syd). Consequently, studies were conducted at the National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi (Lat. 9o 045Â’N; Long. 6o 07Â’E, Alt 70.57m absl) during the 2007/2008 planting season to evaluate the efficacy of some plant extracts on whip smut of sugar cane (S. scitamineum. Results showed that the two plantsÂ’ extract excited good control on whip smut either as leaf or fruit powder. Best control was obtained from neem leaf and neem fruit extractsÂ’ at 60 g/l which significantly recorded the least incidence of S. scitamineum and had higher cane yields than combretum and mancozeb treated canes. Sugar cane growers, especially chewing cane growers could have alternative products for the management of whip smut which causes serious yield decline in ratoon of chewing cane fields. Further studies are required to isolate the active ingredients of these plant species for packaging and use as purified botanical fungicides.