- Widespread distribution. On sugarcane, and related grass weeds. A minor fungal disease of commercial sugarcane varieties.
- Seedling blights, and spots on the leaves (eyespots) parallel to the veins, oval, 12 mm long x 6 mm wide, reddish with pale yelow halo. Reddish-brown to yellow streaks above the eyespots, called 'runners' caused by toxins.
- Spread is by spores produced in the eyespots blown in wind and rain.
- Cultural control: varietal control is the only recommendation.
- Chemical control: fungicides are not recommended.
Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition
Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides
Sugarcane eye spot (305)
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Summary
Common Name
Sugarcane eye spot
Scientific Name
Bipolaris sacchari. Previous names are Cercospora sacchari, Drechslera sacchari and Helminthosporium sacchari.
AUTHORS Grahame Jackson & Eric McKenzie
Information (and Photo 3) from Philippe Rott, et al. Sugarcane eyespot disease. University of Florida, IFAS Extension (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc003). and from Diseases of Australian sugarcane: Field guide. BSES Limited. Australia. (https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Diseases-of-Australian-Sugarcane-Field-Guide.pdf). Photo 1 MS Irey Diseases, pests, and nonnutritent disorders of sugarcane. The American Phytopathological Society. Photo 2 (taken by Eric McKenzie), and used in this fact sheet, appeared previously in McKenzie E (2013) Bipolaris sacchari. PaDIL - (http://www.padil.gov.au).
Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
