Improving germination of single-budded sugarcane setts using thermotherapyand fungicide treatments

Experiments to investigate the effect of various thermotherapy and fungicid e treatments on the germination of single-budded setts (SBS) of sugarcane a re described. Treatment in water at 52 degrees C for 10 minutes significant ly increased germination and plant growth. Immersing setts in cold water co ntaining Eria(R) (62,5 ppm carbendazim + 31,25 ppm difenoconazole; 0,5 mi i n 1 L) for 10 minutes also improved germination. Treatment with Eria in hot water (52 degrees C) for 10 minutes was more effective than the untreated control, treatment with Eria in cold water and treatment in hot water alone . The active ingredient difenoconazole has both fungicidal and plant growth regulatory properties; the latter was probably largely responsible for the improved germination. Therefore, an inappropriate hormonal balance in SBS may be an important cause of poor germination in transplant nurseries, indi cating that the use of freshly harvested, good quality seedcane is necessar y to overcome germination problems.