Sugarcane Leaf Scald

This document is about Sugarcane Leaf Scald Disease, a bacterial infection caused by Xanthomonas albilineans that affects sugarcane crops worldwide. The disease can remain latent for years and appears in chronic or acute phases, with symptoms ranging from pencil-line streaks on leaves to sudden stalk death. It spreads primarily through infected seed cane and contaminated cutting tools, and may also be transmitted aerially. Environmental stress can worsen its impact. Control relies on prevention, including resistant varieties, hot-water treatment of seed cane, and sterilization of equipment, as no chemical or biological treatments are currently available. First printed March 1991.