A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR CHLOROTIC STREAK DISEASE

CHLOROTIC STREAK IS A soil-borne disease of sugarcane widespread throughout the cane growing countries of the world. It is one of the major diseases of the Australian sugar industry, causing yield losses of up to 40% in susceptible varieties. The disease infects the crop through the root system and is spread through flood and drainage water and via infected planting material. Despite chlorotic streak being recognised as a disease since 1929, the identity of the causal agent remains elusive. Successful disease management is hampered by a lack of understanding of the causal agent and a lack of a diagnostic assay. Research carried out by BSES has identified a DNA fragment which is highly correlated with chlorotic streak and has the potential to be developed into a diagnostic test. A diagnostic assay for chlorotic streak could be used for screening cane, soil and water. It would assist in delivering disease-free seedcane, in carrying out disease surveys and in understanding disease transmission and epidemiology. This in turn would greatly improve our ability to manage the disease. This paper describes initial testing of a potential diagnostic assay based on DNA sequences of the actin gene.