The ratoon stunting disease (RSD), caused by Leifsonia xyli subsp xyli (Lxx), is one of the most important sugarcane diseases because of damage it inflicts to yield and its presence in all growing regions of the country. Another fact that makes it important to sugarcane crop is the difficulty of its identification in the field based on external symptoms. Moreover, systemic contaminated stalks and cutting materials are the main source of disease dissemination. The Laboratório de Genética Molecular (LAGEM) of UFSCar performs routine diagnostic test for RSD. The objective of the present work was to examine the incidence of Lxx from samples received by the LAGEM between 2005 and 2007. The results showed that RB867515 was the most analyzed variety in every year and that 24 out of 98 varieties showed positive infection for Lxx with percentage varying from 0.4 to 38.9%.
ratoon stunting disease; sugarcane; disease
