Nasir Ahmed Rajput1, Ameer Jan1, Muhammad Atiq1, Ahmad Nawaz1, Waqas Raza Arshad2, Muhammad Usman1 and Muhammad Wahab1
1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan; nasirrajput81@gmail.com, nasir.ahmed@uaf.edu.pk
2Sheikhoo Sugar Mills, Punjab Pakistan
Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids) is a major crop facing significant impacts from the development of smut whips caused by Sporisorium scitamineum. This disease can severely impact both the quantity and quality of sugarcane, making effective disease management crucial for sustaining production and economic stability for growers. The use of 20 desert phyto-extracts for managing sugarcane smut through sett treatment and foliar spray methods was investigated. Under greenhouse conditions, extracts from Rhazya stricta, Calotropis procera, Salvadora oleoides, Peganum harmala and Citrullus colocynthis significantly reduced disease incidence to 1.6%, 3.4%, 4.83%, 6.8%, and 7.43%, respectively, compared to Tilt fungicide that achieved 1.33%, and a control group with 47% incidence. Among these, R. stricta proved to be the most effective. Sett treatments with R. stricta extract at concentrations of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg resulted in disease incidences of 1.73% and 2%, while foliar sprays led to incidences of 4.96% and 5.43%, respectively. The use of these extracts could enhance both the quality and quantity of sugarcane yield.