METHODS FOR SUGARCANE SMUT CONTROL IN EGYPT

Tests compared the reliability of different methods used to artifi‌cially inoculated clones for their reaction to sugarcane smut. Reactions to smut were also noted for sugarcane varieties. Hot-water treatment and fungicides were also carried out. Both the dip and wound past method gave results in testing smut resistance; however, the dip method (dipping one budded cane setts for 30 minutes in a spore suspension of 5x10 teliospores / ml wa‌ter) is preferred as this method is less severe and less laborious than the wound past method. Of the main and promising sugarcane varieties tested, G. 68/88, F1 53 and G. 47/84 were found to be highly resistant to smut; G. 37/85 and G. 68/84 were resistant; G. 74/96, G.T. 54/9 (C9) and G. 368/75 were moderately resistant while NCO310, E. 68/18 and F151 were high‌ly susceptible. Hot water treatment at 52C for 20 minutes and 50C for 2 hours were found to be more effective than other comparable treatments. Preliminary results showed that smut is successfully by Bayleton and Benlate. The fungicides Dithane z-78 and Daconil were next in effi‌ciency. Treating seedcane for 2 hours in hot water 50C containing Bayle‌ton was more effective than each treatment applied separately. No single method is controlling smut. Therefore, an integrated approach is used for minimizing losses caused by this disease.