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Four Sugarcane Seedling Diseases in Hawaii: Causal Agents, Control, and a Selective Medium for Isolation. Ralph S. Byther, Genetics & Pathology Department, Experiment Station, Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822; Gray W. Steiner, Genetics & Pathology Department, Experiment Station, Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822. Phytopathology 62:120-124. Accepted for publication 9 August 1971. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-120.

Cochliobolus lunata, Drechslera rostrata, Drechslera hawaiiensis, and Curvularia senegalensis were isolated from 1- to 10-week-old sugarcane seedlings. The latter three fungi have not been previously associated with sugarcane seedling blight. Cochliobolus lunata and D. rostrata were the more virulent of the four pathogens. A selective medium containing benomyl, nonionic surfactant (NPX), and streptomycin was developed to aid in isolations. Evidence would indicate that inoculum is present on the seed when it is planted. Fungicide applications at sowing, emergence, and at weekly intervals thereafter controlled the disease adequately.