A method for the rapid identification of ratoon stunting disease in sugar cane

Abstract

Work with the electron microscope established a slender coryneform - type bacterium is constantly present in the sap of known ratoon stunting diseased plants and is absent from healthy plants. Purpose of project was to determine whether a reliable method of diagnosing doubtful cases of the disease could be based on the fundings of such organisms in the extracted sap, either by election or phase - contrast microscopy.