EVALUATION OF TWO INFECTION METHODS TO DETERMINE THE REACTION OF NEW CLONES TO SMUT DISEASE (Sporisorium scitamineum) IN SUGARCANE (Saccharum spp.)

Abstract

Two infection methods of smut disease in sugarcane caused by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum were evaluated, to generate future recommendations and to define their reaction in promising clones obtained in the selection process in Mexico. The methods evaluated: natural infection, through the interspersed use of highly susceptible clones as a source of inoculate and inoculation, the stems were inoculated with 2 g of spores per liter of water. Field assessment of both methods was carried out on the third and seventh month of the crop’s life, in two cycles (seedling and shoot). It is concluded that both methods are reliable, however, the method from natural infection is practical and less laborious.