Red Rot (Sugarcane)
Colletotrichum falcatum
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameRed Rot (Sugarcane)
DescriptionRed rot turns the inside of sugarcane stalks into a bloody-red, foul-smelling mess. Identify the 'alcoholic odor' of split canes to stop the spread of this terminal disease.
TypeFungus
FamilyGlomerellaceae
GenusColletotrichum
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumAscomycota
SubphylumPezizomycotina
ClassSordariomycetes
OrderGlomerellales
Features
- The most feared and destructive disease of sugarcane globally, especially in India ('Cancer of Sugarcane'). Caused by the fungus Colletotrichum falcatum
- The first external sign is the yellowing and drooping of the third or fourth leaf from the top, eventually spreading to the entire crown
- The rind of the cane becomes shriveled and develops longitudinal wrinkles. In severe cases, the entire stalk dries up and becomes light in weight
- The most diagnostic sign is found inside the cane: when split open, the internal tissue shows blood-red color with white horizontal bands
- Infected stalks emit a characteristic sour, alcoholic, or vinegar-like odor produced by the fermenting sugar juice
- Black specks (fruiting bodies) may appear on the shriveled rind and on the reddish-brown midrib lesions on the leaves
- The fungus overwinters in infected setts (planting material), soil debris, and on alternative host plants like wild grasses
- Spread primarily by water runoff during irrigation or heavy rain and by using infected cuttings for planting new crops
- Prevent by using only certified disease-free setts and planting resistant varieties. Rotate crops with non-host plants like rice for one year
- Once an infection is found, the affected clumps should be uprooted and burnt immediately. Avoid over-irrigation and maintain proper field drainage
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificColletotrichum falcatum
English (Alternate)Cancer of sugarcane
Hindiगन्ने का लाल सड़न रोग (Ganne ka laal sadan rog)
Tamilகரும்பு சிவப்பழுகல் நோய் (Karumbu sivappazhukal noy)
Teluguచెరకు ఎర్ర కుళ్లు తెగులు (Cheraku erra kullu tegulu)
Malayalamകരിമ്പിന്റെ ചുവപ്പുചീച്ചിൽ (Karimbintē cuvappucīccil)
Kannadaಕಬ್ಬಿನ ಕೆಂಪು ಕೊಳೆ ರೋಗ (Kabbina kempu koḷe rōga)
Sanskritइक्षु-रक्त-सड़न (Ikṣu-rakta-saḍana)
Bengaliআঁখ এর লাল পচা রোগ (Ankh er lal pocha rog)
Frenchpourriture rouge de la canne à sucre
Russianкрасная гниль сахарного тростника (krasnaya gnil' sakharnogo trostnika)
Spanishmuermo rojo de la caña
GermanZuckerrohr-Rotfäule
