Understanding resistance to ratoon stunting disease (RSD)

Resistance to ratoon stunting disease (RSD) has been identified as the missing piece of the puzzle for the control of the disease in Australia. However, recent variety guides do not list RSD reaction, and so it is difficult for growers to harness RSD resistance to improve their productivity. There has been a significant misunderstanding of the nature of RSD resistance, with several voices going so far as to suggest that it does not even exist. This view is contradicted by over 70 years of RSD literature and is clearly not in the interests of growers and Productivity Services Company personnel who wish to improve their management of RSD. This paper discusses the changes that have recently occurred in the industry, explores their justification, and promotes an informed change of policy that will unleash the latent potential of the Australian sugar industry.