Abstract

Different inoculation techniques viz. inoculation of sets by dipping in spore suspension, bud inoculation with hypodermic syringe, bud wrapping by cotton swab dipped in smut suspension and inoculation of underground bud at the time of tillering (end May) were tested to screen against sugarcane smut in the field as well as in the laboratory conditions. In the field, out of the tested inoculation techniques, the maximum disease incidence (60.63%) was observed when buds were inoculated with hypodermic syringe and minimum (8.55%) in inoculation of underground buds at the time of tillering stage. The result showed that inoculation through mechanical injury significantly increase disease incidence but at the same time also affect the bud germination (15.56%). Significant difference in smut incidence was also observed when the inoculation was carried by teliospores and sporidia separately.

Key words: Ustilago scitaminea, inoculation technique, screening, resistance, sugarcane.