| Abstract | Sugarcane streak mosaic (SCSM) caused by sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) is a
relatively recently recognised disease of sugarcane that is now widespread through S.E.
Asia and widely infecting commercial crops, both in terms of incidence and in the
percentage of plants infected within individual fields. Crop losses, though not spectacular in
individual plants, is very significant since whole crops are very often affected meaning that
accumulated smaller losses in individual plants leads to very significant losses for cane
farmers. A number of aspects related to the disease were unknown at initiation of this
research, including: distribution across Indonesia (Sumatera, Sulawesi, and the eastern
archipelago); transmission mechanisms (mechanical or insects or planting material only);
the epidemiology and speed of spread; crop resistance; sensitive, specific and cheap
detection technologies; and an effective integrated disease management (IDM) strategy. All
these points were addressed in associated research activities. |
