VIEW ARTICLE

Influence of Sugarcane Mosaic Virus Strain H and Pythium graminicola on Growth of Sugarcane. H. Koike, Research Plant Pathologist, Plant Science Research Division, ARS, USDA, Houma, Louisiana 70360; S. Yang, Research Plant Pathologist, Plant Science Research Division, ARS, USDA, Houma, Louisiana 70360. Phytopathology 61:1090-1092. Accepted for publication 7 April 1971. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-61-1090.

The interaction between sugarcane mosaic virus strain H, the most prevalent strain in Louisiana, and Pythium graminicola was studied on four commercial sugarcane cultivars in replicated greenhouse tests. The virus and fungus each caused significant reductions in total height of shoots per pot (in three and four cultivars, respectively), in fresh weight of top growth (in three and four cultivars, respectively), and in dry weight of top growth (both in four cultivars). The fungus reduced growth more than the virus in some cultivars. Both agents together caused additive effects on total height of shoots per pot (in three of four cultivars), on fresh weight of top growth (in two of four cultivars), and on dry weight of top growth (in all four cultivars); synergistic effects were noted on total height of shoots per pot (in one of four cultivars), and on fresh weight of top growth (in two of four cultivars). The results suggest that, under field conditions, greater reductions in yields of some sugarcane cultivars may result from the presence of both agents.