Abstract

Yield components and cane yield losses of two sugar cane varieties affected by whip smut (sporisoriumscitaminemsydow) in nigeria

Author(s): A.C.Wada, A.B.Anaso

The yield components and cane yields of two sugar cane varieties Bida local and Co 957 were reduced by varying concentrations of Sporisorium scitaminem (H. Sydow & Sydow) [M. Piepenbr., M. Stoll & Oberw. 2002 (Syn: Ustilago scitamiea H. & P.Sydow)]) the causal organism for whip smut of sugar cane at Badeggi, (lat. 9o045’N; long 6007’E at an altitude of 70.57m above sea level). The two varieties of sugar cane were inoculated with four levels of S. scitaminem inoculum, 0 x 106, 2 x 106, 4 x 106 and 6 x 106 teliospores/ml respectively and planted in a split plot design in four replicates between 1998 and 2000. Results showed that their yields were significantly impaired by the effect of whip smut. The 6 x 106 teliospores/ml inoculum concentration recorded the least yield in the two test cane varieties. The yields of Bida local in all the two crop cycles from 1998 to 2000 were significantly lower than the yields of Co 957 because the chewing sugar cane yields higher than the industrial sugar cane. Since the present study is an inoculated one and heavy inoculum loads were used and as the chewing sugar cane is hardly ratooned because of heavy S. scitaminem infection and its resultant poor yield in this report is not surprising. In contrast, the Co 957, an industrial variety, in spite of heavy smut incidence survives and ratoons better with high yield. However, the effect of the different concentrations of S. scitaminem obviously accounted for the observed yield declines, particularly in the ratoon canes of the two cane types in the present study.