ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF SUGARCANE BACILLIFORM VIRUS ON BIOMASS PRODUCTION OF THREE SUGARCANE CULTIVARS (FOR PRESENTATION AT ASSCT MEETING)

Submitted to: Sugar Cane
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 30, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The effect of sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV) was determined on the yield of three sugarcane cultivars. Biomass production due to SCBV varied among the three cultivars evaluated. Compared to healthy controls, biomass production was significantly reduced in CP 63-588 infected plants, was variable in CP 65-357 infected plants; and was significantly increased in infected plants of CL 61-620. Virus titer in infected plants differed among cultivars being highest in CP 63-588 and the lowest in CL 61-620. Both, the biomass and virus titer, data are important because they show a differential reaction of sugarcane cultivars to SCBV indicating cultivar resistance to SCBV could be developed. Notable, in the experiment was the lack of spread of SCBV to healthy plants from infected plants that were growing adjacent to them suggesting that the mealybug vector was inefficient.

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane bacilliform virus differentially affected the biomass production of 3 sugarcane cultivars. Biomass production was significantly decreased in cultivar, CP 63-588, in 3 determinations as compared to uninoculated controls. In contrast, the biomass production of CL 61-620 was significantly increased in inoculated plants as compared to uninoculated check plants. The results obtained with CP 65-357 were variable. SCBV titer was highest in cultivars CP 63-588 and CP 65-357, and lowest in cultivar CL 61- 620.