Effect of sugar-cane smut on yield and yield components of sugar-cane varieties in Tanzania

Authors

  • Z.E. Msechu Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Science, University of Dar es Salaam, PO Box 643, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • C.L. Keswani Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Science, University of Dar es Salaam, PO Box 643, Morogoro, Tanzania

Keywords:

Sugar-cane, Yield, Ustilago scitaminea

Abstract

The effect of sugar-cane smut on yield and yield components of seven sugar-cane varieties NCo 376, NCo 339, NCo 334, 1AC 26/55, D 141/46, CB 3839 and EA 6906, was investigated using a completely randomized block design at Kilombero, Tanzania. Significant reduction was observed in stalk length, stalk diameter, sucrose content and cane yield resulting from smut infecting in all the varieties. In a number of internodes the length, leaf length and width, Brix, pol and purity, the reduction ranged from significant to non-significant in different sugar-cane varieties. The fibre content in different varieties showed no significant change due to this disease. Tiller number was generally higher in healthy plants compared with infected plants

Issue

Section

Research Papers