UPDATES

Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Philippines ? 0973-222-809
Vol. 3 No. 1 January 1999 Page 1 of 2 pages

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SUGARCANE DOWNY MILDEW AND ITS CONTROL

(Adapted from Sugarcane Downy Mildew and Its Control with Cultural and Chemical Methods by: M. Guevarra, R. Sampang, A. Vitug, J. Recuenco and A. Casupanan. LAREC RESEARCH UPDATES January 1999, No. 12)

Downy mildew is a major disease of sugarcane that is present in all sugarcane producing regions in the Philippines. It is caused by the fungus Peronosclerospora philippinensis (Weston) C.G. Shaw. SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE Plants from infected seedpieces show whitish discoloration of leaves that later on turn reddish with the accompanying production of thinner and shorter stalks. Plants infected after germination produce whitish discoloration on the base of young leaves which spreads as continuous whitish streaks and thin reddish streaks in the advanced stage. Infection at the later stage of growth sometimes manifests abnormally taller infected plants than healthy ones. DISEASE SPREAD AND OUTBREAKS Downy mildew is a systemic disease which means that the pathogen or the causal organism in infected plants is present in all its susceptible parts, particularly the buds. Hence, the disease is carried through planting materials obtained from downy mildew-infected plants. Infected sugarcane and other host plants like corn and wild cane (talahib) present in and around sugarcane fields are sources of infection. Likewise, trashes and other plant debris of infected plants also harbor the pathogen. Spores or seeds of the pathogen on infected leaves are easily blown and carried by the wind. When spores land on healthy leaves, in the presence of

favorable conditions, they grow, enter and infect the tissues of the leaves and other susceptible parts. The peak of release of spores of the pathogen was found to occur at three o clock in the morning coinciding with the relatively low temperature and high relative humidity, which are conducive for the accumulation of dew or free moisture on the leaf surface. The repeated cycles of the disease due to the presence of susceptible varieties, favorable conditions for infection and virulent pathogen will result to disease outbreak. LOSSES
Percent Infection TC/HA Phil 6723 45% infection 85% infection 10-month old Phil 7464 100% infected stalks 75% infected stalks 50% infected stalks 25% infected stalks 36.20 19.20 14.30 7.70 28.80 14.20 10.10 6.90 18.20 36.50 8.50 35.40 24.50 58.10 Percent Losses PS/TC PS/HA

CONTROL SRA recommends the use of environmentfriendly cultural practices for the proper management of downy mildew. Chemicals are resorted to in situations like disease outbreaks and in variety exchange programs where seedpieces have to be treated to be free of downy mildew. Cultural Methods 1. Plant resistant varieties. The use of resistant varieties is still the most economical and satisfactory method of control. Cultural practices: a) Use healthy planting materials. Seedpieces should come from disease-free plants. In the Accelerated Nursery Development Program

2.

UPDATES
Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Philippines ? 0973-222-809
Vol. 3 No. 1 January 1999 Page 2 of 2 pages (ANDP) nurseries, only healthy seedpieces are released to planters for multiplication in the farms. b) Rogue and subsequently burn infected plants if about 1-3 months old. This should be done when infection is below 10%. Replanting is possible. c) Avoid ratooning heavily infected field. Change to resistant varieties. After harvest, burn trashes and other plant debris in the infected field. treated in the 200 l. dipping solution. Depending on the size of the seedpieces, about 1,050 seedpieces can be accommodated in the first soaking. Subsequent soakings decrease the number of seedpieces as a result of the decrease in the volume of the solution by 3.33%. d) Remove treated seedpieces from the dipping solution and incubate overnight before planting. (Metalaxyl is also marketed as RIDOMIL. Follow recommended rates in the preparation of this and other available products of the same active ingredient in the market.) SOURCES:
GUEVARRA, M. 1987. Note on the effects of downy mildew infection caused by Peronosclerospora philippinensis (Weston) C.G. Shaw ten months after planting on the growth and yield of Phil 7464. Proc. 28th PHILSUTECH Conv. pp.270-296. HUSMILLO, F. 1981. Assessment of yield loss due to downy mildew of sugarcane caused by Peronosclerospora philippinensis (Weston) C.G. Shaw. Proc. 34th PHILSUTECH Conv. pp.361-364. SAMPANG, R. 1990. Effects of climatic factors and host age on spore release of Peronosclerospora philippinensis (Weston) C.G. Shaw. Phil. Sug. Quart. I(4):1-5. SAMPANG, R., M. GUEVARRA and A. BURCER. 1990. Efficacy of Metalaxyl against sugarcane downy mildew caused by Peronosclerospora philippinensis (Weston) C.G. Shaw. Phil. Sug. Quart. I(3):13-21. SAN PEDRO, T. and A. LATIZA. 1974. Yield loss estimates. Proc. 22nd PHILSUTECH Conv. pp. 103-106. VITUG, A. and M. GUEVARRA. 1998. Control of sugarcane downy mildew caused by Peronosclerospora philippinensis (Weston) C.G. Shaw using higher rates of Metalaxyl. LAREC 1998 Annual Report. p.3. /glr

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d) Maintain sanitation through the removal of alternate hosts. Downy mildew susceptible varieties of corn should not be planted in nearby sugarcane fields. Chemical Methods The chemical Metalaxyl, which is marketed as APRON 35 SD, was found by Sampang et.al (1990) and Vitug and Guevarra (1998) to be effective only in the eradication of downy mildew in infected seedpieces. When treated seedpieces are planted, monitor for secondary infection and employ necessary cultural management practices. The chemical is prepared as soaking solution at the rate of 50 grams a.i. or 143 grams product/200 liters of water. It is not effective when applied as spray solution. Preparation: a) Weigh 143 grams of Metalaxyl and dissolve in a liter of water. b) Add prepared solution from Step a) to 199 liters or 53 gallons or 11 kerosene cans (12 liters capacity) of water in an appropriate dipping container (G.I. or plastic drums, concrete soaking tank, etc.) c) Soak downy mildew-infected seedpieces for 10 minutes. Place all seedpieces, completely submerged, that can be accommodated by the dipping solution. Use the dipping solution for 12 times. About 10,000 seedpieces or 1 lacsa, distributed among 12 batches of soaking, can be