A diagnostic guide for orange rust disease in sugarcane

Authors: CARDENAS, D - University Of Florida; CARRILLO, TARAZONA - University Of Florida; Sood, Sushma; HINCAPIE, M - University Of Florida; TAPIA, J - University Of Florida; WANG, J - University Of Florida; ROTT, PHILIPPE - Cirad, France; CANO, L - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2024
Publication Date: 8/6/2024
Citation: Cardenas, D.E., Carrillo, T.Y., Sood, S.G., Hincapie, M.A., Tapia, J., Wang, J., Rott, P.C., Cano, L.M. 2024. A diagnostic guide for orange rust disease in sugarcane. Plant Health Progress. 0:1-41. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-24-0013-DG.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-24-0013-DG

Interpretive Summary: This diagnostic guide for orange rust provides detailed information about symptoms and geographic distribution of the disease, taxonomy, isolation, identification, and storage of the pathogen. We also highlight the management strategies used to control the orange rust disease. This diagnostic guide will facilitate future research focusing on fungal isolation procedures, genetics, and populational studies of this pathogen. This work will protect U.S. sugarcane production from losses to disease.

Technical Abstract: Puccinia kuehnii is an important air-borne fungal pathogen of sugarcane, causing orange rust disease. P. kuehnii has been present in the Asia-Oceania region for over a century. The first report of this pathogen in the Western hemisphere was in 2007 when it appeared in Florida, US. The main objective of this diagnostic guide is to provide detailed information about symptoms, signs, taxonomy, geographic distribution, pathogen isolation, identification, and storage. We also highlight the management strategies used during recent years to control this devastating fungal disease. This diagnostic guide will facilitate future research focusing on fungal isolation procedures, genetics, and populational studies of this pathogen.