Survey of Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli incidence in sugarcane plantations of the northwest region of Paraná State

Ratoon stunting disease caused by Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli is one of the most important bacterial diseases of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). A ratoon stunting desease survey was carried in 32 sugarcane producing areas from two mills in the northwest region of Paraná State through a dot blot serological protocol and a polymerase chain reaction-based assay. A total of 1395 samples were collected in areas planted with 8 varieties and 2 sugarcane clones collected from plants at different harvest periods. The bacterium was detected in the fibrovascular fluid of the SP77-5181 variety from a producing area in a 23% rate of incidence. These data indicated that Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli is present in the northwest region of Paraná.

Ratoon-stunt disease; sorology; PCR