Abstract
A description is provided for Phaeocytostroma sacchari. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Saccharum spp. DISEASE: Rind disease and sour rot of sugarcane. Associated with a stalk rot of mature canes growing under unfavourable conditions; also on cuttings (setts) that have deteriorated after planting. Leaf sheaths and blades near the nodes may be infected resulting in premature yellowing and dessication. Conspicuous black pustules are developed on the shrivelled stalks which exude black, coiled, hair-like masses of conidia under moist conditions. The presence of the pathogen is a contributing factor to the inversion of sucrose in the stalks (Johnston, 1917; 1: 272). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa (Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Nigeria, Reunion, Rhodesia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda), Asia (Andaman Is., Burma, Borneo, Ceylon, China, Formosa (Taiwan), India, Indo-China, Japan, Java, Malaysia, Okinawa, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand), Australia & Oceania (Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, New Guinea, Tahiti); Europe (Portugal); North America (? Bermuda, Mexico, U.S.A.); Central America and the Carribean (Antigua, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nevis, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago, Trinidad); South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, British Guiana, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru). (CMI Map 255, ed. 2, 1952 and Herb. IMI.) TRANSMISSION: The disease is spread principally by conidia carried by wind, rain or in irrigation water (Abbott et al., 1964).
