EFFECT OF PACHYMETRA ROOT-ROT ON SUGARCANE YIELD

The effect of Pachymetra root rot on yield of sugarcane was assessed t hrough a correlation of soil inoculum density with yield in the suscep tible cultivar Q90. Variation in plot inoculum density was created by growing cultivars of varied resistance in the previous crop. Yield los s in the plant crop was estimated at 33% and in the first ratoon at 37 %. Pachymetra root rot significantly reduced stalk number and stalk we ight in both the plant and first ratoon crops but not stalk sugar cont ent. Pachymetra root rot is probably a significant component in northe rn poor root syndrome of sugarcane.