Sugarcane smut: Successful management in the Ord

The response of the Ord Sugar Industry to the identification of sugarcane smut (Ustilago scitaminea) in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA), and the impact on the sugar industry are described. Key components of this response included industry meetings and consultation with relevant State, national and international organisations. Quarantine measures were implemented, a survey of the ORIA was undertaken to determine the extent of smut infection and the removal of susceptible sugarcane varieties was initiated. Other issues included maintaining a supply of cane to the sugar mill and the financial burden on growers due to premature ploughout of susceptible varieties. Removal of highly smut-susceptible varieties will be complete by the end of 2001. The first smut screening trial was established in 1999 as a necessary component of sugarcane variety selection for the ORIA region. The results indicated that at least 63% of the varieties sourced from within Australia were susceptible to smut. Critical levels defining moderately resistant and intermediate varieties still need to be defined in order to determine which varieties should be rejected for potential commercial production on the basis of their level of smut resistance. A program to introduce and select new varieties for the Ord is in operation.