Sugarcane mosaic virus

The causal agent of the disease is Sustrivirus sacchari, a plant-pathogenic virus belonging to the Potyviridae family. This virus functions as an obligate parasite, systemically infecting host plants and significantly disrupting essential physiological processes such as chlorophyll synthesis and carbon assimilation.

The primary hosts for this pathogen include sugarcane, maize, sorghum, and various wild grass species. The virus can infect crops at various growth stages, posing a severe threat to commercial plantations by reducing both the quality of the raw material and the total harvest volume.

Symptoms are characterized by distinct mosaic patterns, typically consisting of irregular light and dark green patches on the leaves. Infected plants may exhibit stunted growth, leaf deformation, and reduced biomass accumulation. In susceptible varieties, the infection can manifest as systemic chlorosis across the entire canopy.

Transmission occurs primarily through aphid vectors, which acquire the virus while feeding on infected tissue and transmit it to healthy plants. Mechanical transmission via contaminated farming tools and the use of infected vegetative propagules (cuttings) are also critical pathways that facilitate the rapid spread of the virus within a region.

• Utilizing certified virus-free seed or planting stock.
• Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) to control aphid populations.
• Establishing spatial isolation zones between susceptible crop fields.
• Sanitizing agricultural equipment to prevent mechanical transmission.
• Selecting and planting resistant cultivars to reduce susceptibility.

The economic impact of Sustrivirus sacchari is substantial, as it leads to decreased sugar content and structural weakness in stalks, making them prone to secondary infections. Given that there is no chemical cure for plant viral diseases, proactive management and rigorous field sanitation remain the standard for agricultural protection.