Genetic control of ratoon stunting disease in sugarcane

Control of many serious diseases of sugar cane has been sought, and largely achieved, through breeding and use of resistant varieties (Edgerton, 1955; Walker, 1987). However, RSD is in perhaps a unique position among sugar cane diseases in that no consideration has been given to resistance in the selection of cultivars or in the selection of parents and progeny in the breeding program. This has apparently been due to the hope that satisfactory control could be achieved by therapy and hygiene and also due to the fact that, until recently, suitable screening procedures for resistance have not been available. This paper reviews arguments which have been advanced against attempting genetic control of RSD, together with recent information relevant to both the desirability and feasibility of using genetic variation in control of the disease.