Research Progress on Sugarcane Smut and Its Control

Sugarcane is one of the important sugar and biomass energy crops in the world. Sugarcane smut caused by Sporisorium scitamineum is the main disease of sugarcane, which results in enormous yield losses and decline in cane quality, and poses a serious threat to the sustainable development of sugarcane production and sugar industry in China and even in the world. Currently, study on pathogenic mechanism of S. scitamineum and resistance mechanism of sugarcane at molecular level has become a research hotspot, which provides scientific basis for smut control and disease resistance breeding of sugarcane. At present, breeding and promotion of new resistant varieties is the most economical and effective measure to control sugarcane smut. However, research of breeding resistance cultivars is relatively weak in China. This paper reviewed disease occurrence, pathogenic feature, genetic diversity, pathogenic mechanism, disease resistance breeding and control measures. The further research ideas of sugarcane smut were also discussed according to current research.