Vol. 12, Special Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Manjula, Patibanda AK, Kishore Verma P, Manoj Kumar V and Sandhya Rani C

Abstract:
Sugarcane is the world’s largest crop in terms of production and top most important cash crop. India placed in 2^nd position among top five largest producer countries next to Brazil, which increasing the concern of researchers towards its protection against biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors affecting sugarcane, fungal pathogens are drastically affecting the crop economy by producing severe necrotic symptoms. Pokkah boeng is one of the recently emerged disease incited by Fusarium species complex. In this study to know the incidence, roving survey was carried out in a total of 15 villages from seven mandals of Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh such as Anakapalle, Chodavaram, Kasimkota, Butchayyapeta, Cheedikada, Munagapakaduring Kharif 2020. Highest disease incidence was recorded from the fields of Anakapalle (40% in variety 2001A 63 in its formative stage). Whereas, zero disease incidence was noticed in Gajapathinagaram (CoA 7602), Lakavaram (2007A 81), Jaithavaram (87A 298) and Munagapaka (2003V 46). Among the villages, two (Damunapalli and Chintalapalem) were severely, six (Thummapala, Anakapalle, Gajapathinagaram, Lakavaram, Polepalle and Tamaram) were moderately and seven (Cheedikada, Veduruparthi, Chinna Gogada, Bangarumetta, Moolapeta, Munagapaka, Jaithavaram) were recorded with mild incidence. Most of the isolates (F1- F20, excluding F14) recovered from symptomatic leaf samples were confirmed through cultural, morphological and molecular studies as Fusarium sacchari and one isolate (F14) deviated from the rest which was identified as F. andiyazi. Survey data have provided reliable, primary information regarding disease and its distribution in the local areas of Vishakhapatnam district which will throw light on the area of effective disease management in further.