Evaluation of Puccinia melanocephala (Sydow and P. Sydow) incidence in five varieties of sugar cane

Abstract

The sugarcane rust Puccinia melanocephala (Sydow and P. Sydow) is one of the main diseases that affects the productive potential of different commercial varieties in the country and is regularly monitored by the phytosanitary authorities. The objective of this research was to determine the incidence of this disease in five commercial varieties of the Guantánamo Sugar Company; for which, plots of one hectare of five varieties of sugarcane were randomly selected over a period of six years. The results showed differentiated responses in the study periods and between the varieties.