Information sheet : White leaf disease (WLD)

Abstract

White leaf disease (WLD) was first recognized in Thailand in the 1950s. The disease has caused serious yield losses in Thailand and has some similarities to grassy shoot (GSD) and green grassy shoot diseases (GGSD). All three are caused by phytoplasm and are common in south east Asia. WLD recently caused a major disease epidemic in Laos in a sugar factory in the south central Savannakhet Province and has recently been found in China. If WLD was introduced to Australia, it could cause major yield losses to the sugar industry. Issues such as resistant varieties and alternative hosts require further research.