Orange Rust in Guatemala and Management Strategies

摘要

Orange Rust, a disease caused to sugarcane by the fungus Puccinia kuehnii was a minor disease in Australia until an epidemic took place on 2000, and caused losses estimated between 150 and 210 million Australian dollars. In July 2007 the disease was confirmed at the Palm Beach County, Florida, in varieties CP80-1743, CP89-2143 and CP72-2086. This situation interested Guatemalan sugar industry, since CP72-2086 is the most important variety in Guatemala. The report of the disease in the US was the first on the western hemisphere. On September 7, 2007, the disease was detected for the first time in Guatemala, at the Amazonas farm from Santa Ana sugarmill. Samples were obtained from that plantation and sent to the US for a confirmation of diagnosis by means of molecular methods. The results confirming the presence of P. kuehnii were received on November 2007. CENGICANA created a technical working group to discuss a plan of action. The group is integrated by staff from the Varieties Development Program, the general director and the heads from the research departments of sugarmills. The proposed plan and its progress are presented in detail.