Sugarcane smut
Sporisorium scitamineum
List of symptoms/signs
Inflorescence - black fungal spores
Stems - witches broom
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of S. scitamineum infection is the long, whip-like sorus that emerges from the growing point and frequently extends above the tops of the infected plant. Sori may also be produced from side shoots originating from lateral buds. For much of its life cycle, however, the fungus is systemic in the plant and produces no identifiable symptoms except for a 'grassy' appearance in severe cases. This appearance results from the production of numerous weak, spindly stalks in place of the usual vigorous canes. In rare instances, S. scitamineum infection has been observed in the flowering panicle, but this is not of economic importance since commercial sugarcane is harvested before flowering.
The most obvious symptom of S. scitamineum infection is the long, whip-like sorus that emerges from the growing point and frequently extends above the tops of the infected plant. Sori may also be produced from side shoots originating from lateral buds. For much of its life cycle, however, the fungus is systemic in the plant and produces no identifiable symptoms except for a 'grassy' appearance in severe cases. This appearance results from the production of numerous weak, spindly stalks in place of the usual vigorous canes. In rare instances, S. scitamineum infection has been observed in the flowering panicle, but this is not of economic importance since commercial sugarcane is harvested before flowering.
