A Survey of Diseases on Sugarcane Germplasm in Three Regions of Cameroon

Sugarcane production by smallholder farmers in the recent past has been adversely hampered by biotic constraints particularly diseases. This study was carried out to evaluate the disease situation of sugarcane in three regions of Cameroon. A survey was carried out in 66 villages chosen based on subsistence production for local consumption. Representative cane samples of the landraces identified included SMU58, SBK36, SNC16, NBfPc48 and NBfAg53. Representative samples were collected and grown in an experimental field in the Department of Plant Science in the University of Buea. The canes were ready for observation for disease symptoms after 11 months of planting. Disease symptoms were observed both in the experimental and on farmers' fields and described. The disease incidence was calculated based on the different landraces, regions and symptom types. The incidences of disease symptoms varied among the different, landraces, regions and symptom types. The disease incidence ranged from 18.1 to 43.5%. Diseases incidence observed during the survey indicated that there were less infected canes per stand in the South West than in the other two regions. West region had the highest incidence. SBK36 recorded the highest incidence (33.3%) while NBFPc48 recorded the least. These foliar symptoms ranged from eye spot disease to leaf roll disease, with mosaic symptom recording the highest incidence. To maximize production, there is need to monitor the disease situation. Integrated management plan is of significant to reduce the incidence of disease in order to increase yield.