Physiology, Epidemiology and Fungicidal Subdual Strategies for whip smut of sugarcane Caused by Sporisoriums Scitamineum

Sugarcane, a cornerstone of Pakistan's agricultural economy, standing as the second-largest cash crop in the country. The pervasive threat of whip smut, caused by Sporisorium scitamineum , poses a formidable challenge, often resulting in yield losses ranging from 18–68%. This study explores the incidence of whip smut in sugarcane across Faisalabad, investigating its correlation with environmental factors such as maximum and minimum temperatures (°C), relative humidity (%), rainfall (mm), and wind speed (Km/h), disease impact on plant physiology and effective management strategies using synthetic chemicals. Field experiments, incorporating artificial inoculation across ten sugarcane varieties, revealed varying susceptibility, with HSF-242 exhibiting the highest disease incidence (92%) and CP43-33 the lowest (78%). Statistical analyses highlighted significant negative correlations between disease incidence and maximum/minimum temperatures, while positive correlations were observed with relative humidity, rainfall, and wind speed. In vitro evaluations of ten chemical fungicides identified Aliette (30%), Tilt (40%), and Amistar Top (44.67%) as the most effective in suppressing S. scitamineum . Subsequent field trials confirmed Aliette's superior efficacy, demonstrating its potential in disease management strategies. Photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll contents (total, a, and b) were observed high in healthy plants as compared to inoculated ones. While water use efficiency was observed in greater amounts in inoculated plants as compared to healthy plants. This study contributes novel insights into managing sugarcane whip smut, offering practical strategies to mitigate economic losses and sustainably enhance crop yields in global sugarcane production systems.