Chlorotic streak disease in Queensland

Abstract

Chlorotic streak is a disease of unknown etiology affecting 30-50,000 ha of caneland in Queensland annually. The disease is present in all canegrowing districts but is of greatest incidence in the Herbert River and Rocky Point mill areas. The disease is favoured by poor drainage and is spread by floodwaters. Yield losses of up to 40% have been recorded with the disease reducing germination, ratooning, stalk number, and stalk weight. It is likely to be reducing industry returns by $2-5m annually. Of concern is the likely increase of the disease with the return to wetter seasons in Queensland and with the increasing practice of re-cycling of irrigation tail waters in the Burdekin district. It is recommended that a varietal resistance screen be conducted to obtain disease ratings on current commercial varieties and that research into the causal agent be undertaken.