Preliminary investigation on the main fungal diseases of sugarcane in Guangxi Province of China.

[Objective] The purpose was to understand species and occurrence status of major fugal diseases in sugarcane cultivation areas of Guangxi in China, so as to provide scientific references for integrated control against sugarcane diseases. [Method] Species and occurrence degrees of major fugal diseases in sugarcane cultivation areas of Guangxi were investigated through randomized surveys, farmer interviews, literature references and location investigations from 2009 to 2011. Diseased sugarcane samples were collected and their species were identified through pathogen isolated culture and other relevant methods. [Result] Thirteen species of fungal diseases were identified in the survey, including pineapple disease [Thielaviopsis paradoxa (de Seynes) V. Hohnel], smut(Ustilago scitaminea Sydow), top rot disease (Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon), rust (Puccinia melanocephala H.﹠P. Syd.), leaf scald disease (Stagonospora sacchari Lo et Ling), red rot disease (Colletotrichum falcatum Went), zonate spot disease (Phyllosticta saccharicola P. Henn.), leaf red spot disease [Pellicularia sasakii (Shirai) Ito], white rash disease (Elsinoe sacchari L.), eye spot [Helminthosporium sacchari (Breda de Haan) Butler], yellow spot [Mycovellosiella koepkei (kruger) Deighton], brown stripe [Bipolaris stenospilum (Drechs.) Shoem.]and brown spot (Cercospora longipes Butler). Smut, rust, top rot, and pineapple disease were the most rampantly detrimental to quality and yield of sugarcane. [Conclusion] Smut is the most serious sugarcane disease; it is urgent to breed sugarcane varieties with high resistance and excellent agronomic characters to replace current sugarcane varieties susceptible to diseases.