INCURSION OF SUGARCANE SMUT IN COMMERCIAL CANE CROPS AT RAMU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

SUGAR PRODUCTION IN Ramu, Papua New Guinea (PNG) commenced in 1982. PNG being the home of sugarcane, there has been constant pressure from indigenous pests and diseases, which have presented major challenges for commercial sugar production in the last 35 years at Ramu. The exotic disease, sugarcane smut (Sporisorium scitamineum) was first reported in commercial crops in early August 2016. This paper outlines Ramu Agri Industries Limited’s (RAIL) experience into monitoring and control of the sugarcane smut incursion in commercial sugarcane at Ramu, PNG. The data and results presented are based on delimiting surveys by variety and field control through roguing. Long-term smut management will be through the planting of smut resistant varieties.