ARS | Publication request: CP-Sugarcane Research in Florida: Past Achievements and Future Challenges

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 18, 2009
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: An economically important disease in Florida is Sugarcane orange rust. This disease has caused yield losses in the major cultivar, CP 80-1743 since it was introduced in 2007. Sugarcane orange rust is causing yield losses and has also caused susceptible cultivars to be discarded from the CP-cultivar development program. Although symptoms are similar in appearance to sugarcane brown rust it can be distinguished by the lighter orange color of the pustules and spores. Several molecular approaches are being investigated to detect resistance genes besides developing resistance using conventional approaches. It is best to have adequate resistance although fungicides can control the disease. Research is also being conducted to develop cultivars better adapted for sand soil in Florida and for biomass/bio-energy cane for production outside the present sugarcane commercial production area in South Florida.