Fungus causing sugarcane wilt identified

The Sugarcane Technology Center (CTC) announced this Tuesday (23), in Piracicaba, in the interior of São Paulo, the discovery of the fungus causing sugarcane wilt, a disease that has been affecting the longevity of sugarcane fields and increasing production costs. It is Colletotrichum spp. The discovery was validated by genetic analyses and the Koch's Postulate. The confirmation paves the way for the development of resistant varieties and more assertive management strategies. "The most important thing is to know what we are attacking. Now, with the confirmation of the causal agent, we can direct research on different fronts – from fungicides to nutritional and irrigation management solutions – in addition to opening up space for the development of resistant varieties in the future," highlighted the R&D director of CTC, Sabrina Chabregas. The impact of the disease worries producers across the country. Reports point to losses of up to 50% in the production of affected plots. In ...