Present status of bacterial top rot disease of sugarcane in Indian Punjab

Top rot/red stripe disease is caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae poses a constant threat to the successful cultivation of sugarcane in Punjab. It is quite severe on variety CoJ 85 during the past 4–5 years in the state. during the survey based on the average of three months, the maximum prevalence of top rot was 56.0% and 54.3% in Amritsar district on variety CoJ 85 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Maximum disease incidence of 4.2% and severity 65.8% was observed on variety CoJ 85 in the month of August 2011 and 4.4% and 72.0% in 2012, respectively. However, least disease incidence and severity was recorded on variety CoJ 88. it was concluded that an early variety CoJ 85 was more susceptible to the top rot disease than the other varieties.