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Title: Effects of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus infection on sugarcane in Louisiana

Author
item Grisham, Michael
item Eggleston, Gillian
item HOY, J - LSU, BATON ROUGE, LA
item Viator, Ryan

Submitted to: Journal of Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/9/2007
Publication Date: 7/1/2007
Citation: Grisham, M.P., Eggleston, G., Hoy, J.W., Viator, R.P. 2007. Effects of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus infection on sugarcane in Louisiana. Journal of Phytopathology. 97(6):S43.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Symptoms of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) infection on sugarcane typically appear late in the growing season. In Louisiana, infected plants may be harvested before symptoms develop or late-season symptoms may be masked by the effects of chemical ripener or freezing temperatures. In a field experiment, the effects of SCYLV on two sugarcane cultivars, the leading Louisiana cultivar LCP 85-384 and a recently released cultivar Ho 95-988, were determined. Prior to harvest with a chopper harvester, 25 stalks were hand cut from each plot and divided into four components (green leaves, the lower six internodes of the stalk, the mid-stalk mature internodes, and the upper immature portion of the stalk that included the growing point) for chemical analysis. Sugar per ton of cane increased and fiber concentration decreased in the lower stalk tissue and starch concentration was higher in leaf tissue of SCYLV-infected plants. Neither cane tonnage nor sugar per hectare differed between treatments among three annually harvested crops indicating that LCP 85-384 and Ho 95-988 were tolerant to SCYLV infection under the conditions of this experiment. Most leaves are removed when cane is harvested; however, under adverse harvesting conditions, leaves may be delivered to the factory and leaves with elevated starch levels may contribute to reduced processing efficiency.