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

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Issue

Volume 59 Number 3

Section

Research Papers