Sugarcane sereh

Sugarcane sereh is a devastating systemic disease of sugarcane characterized by the stunted growth of the plant, which results in a proliferation of thin, grass-like shoots. The term «sereh» is Javanese for lemongrass, describing the stunted, brush-like appearance of an infected sugarcane stool.

The causative agent of the disease is identified as a phytoplasma, a type of wall-less bacterium that lives in the phloem of the host plant. Because the pathogen is systemic, it infects the entire vascular system of the cane, making every part of the plant a potential source of infection for future propagation cycles.

The most prominent symptoms include the shortening of internodes, resulting in stunted stems, and an abnormal increase in tillering. Affected plants are often chlorotic, produce poor-quality foliage, and show a total loss of commercial viability, as they fail to reach the harvestable height or sugar content required for industrial production.

Transmission occurs primarily through the use of infected cuttings (setts) during vegetative propagation. Once a plantation is infested, the disease spreads rapidly if sanitary standards are ignored. In addition to infected planting material, certain leafhopper species can act as vectors, spreading the pathogen between stools within a field or across adjacent plantations.

Management of sugarcane sereh relies exclusively on preventative agricultural practices, as there is no chemical cure for infected plants. The most effective strategies involve the selection of resistant cultivars and the implementation of strict quarantine protocols. Growers must prioritize the use of disease-free material derived from tissue culture and perform regular field sanitation to eliminate any symptomatic stools immediately.