Bipolaris sacchari
eyespot
Drechslera sacchari, Helminthosporium sacchari, Cercospora sacchari,
Worldwide, primarily in tropic and subtropic regions
AL, FL, GA, HI, LA, MD
2025-12-23
fungus
Korea
Main: sugarcane; Other: wheat, corn
DRECSA
Bipolaris sacchari is a foliar fungal pathogen that causes eyespot disease, primarily in sugarcane. The pathogen survives in infected plant debris and produces airborne conidia that are dispersed by wind and rain, with disease development favored by warm, humid conditions. It is generally considered of low to moderate economic importance.
Crops
Pennisetum spp.
pearl millet
No
DRECSA-3, CABI CPC, RICH ISTA
Although Ingle and Raut (DRESCA-3) claim to have isolated Bipolaris sacchari from millet seed in India, and Richardson (DRESCA-8) cites one study from 1954, there are no other references indicating that this fungus is a pathogen of millet in nature or is found on seed. It is unknown whether these seeds were cleaned or conditioned as a seed crop. This pathogen is of low economic importance.
2025-12-23 13:22:22
Ingle RW; Raut JG, 1993. Fungi associated with glume and seed in pearl millet at different seed development stages. Seed Research, 21:131-132
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Richardson, MJ. 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich Switzerland.
Saccharum officinarum
sugarcane
Uncertain
DRECSA-5, DRECSA-7, CABI CPC, RICH ISTA, DRECSA-9, DRECSA-10, DRECSA-11
Sugarcane is commercially propagated vegetatively, and true seed is used primarily in breeding and variety improvement programs. Experimental studies indicate that transmission via true seed can occur under experimental conditions; however, true seed is not used in commercial production. In commercial sugarcane systems, the pathogen is disseminated through infected vegetative planting material, airborne spores, rain splash, and crop residue.
Yes
Blotter incubation
This method was used for research purposes and has not been validated or standardized.
DRECSA-7
Biological, chemical, cultural
Good cultural practices and sanitation have been shown to reduced disease incident. Resistant varieties are available. Fungicides have proven effective.
DRECSA-6, DRECSA-7
2025-12-23 13:57:52
Loveless and Smith, 1956. Seedling Blight of Sugarcane‐A New Disease Caused by Helminthosporium sacchari, Butler. Annals of Applied Biology 44:419-424
Sinha OK; Kishan Singh, 1983. Sugarcane seed decay: prevalence of fungi and collar rot of seedlings caused by Curvularia spp. and Drechslera spp. Seed Research 10:114-11
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Richardson, MJ. 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich Switzerland.
Borrás-Hidalgo, O., Thomma, B. P., Carmona, E., Borroto, C. J., Pujol, M., Arencibia, A., & Lopez, J. (2005). Identification of sugarcane genes induced in disease-resistant somaclones upon inoculation with Ustilago scitaminea or Bipolaris sacchari. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 43(12), 1115-1121.
Kabir, A. K. M., & Rahman, S. (1993). Studies on the Seed-borne Fungi of Sugarcane.
Comstock, J. C., & Lentini, R. S. (2005). Sugarcane Eyespot Disease: SSAGR203/SC003, 3/2005. EDIS (Gainesville, Fla.), 2005(3).
Wahid A; Saleem A; Ali S; Masoud T, 1990. Fungicidal control of seedling blight of sugarcane caused by Drechslera sacchari. Pakistan Journal of Phytopathology, 2:14-21
Triticum aestivum
wheat
No
DRECSA-4, CABI CPC, RICH ISTA
Although Giri, et.al., 2001, claim to have isolated Bipolaris sacchari from wheat seed in India, there are no other references indicating that this fungus is a pathogen of wheat in nature or is found on seed. Seeds were from local production and it is unknown whether these seeds were cleaned or conditioned as a seed crop.
2025-12-23 13:23:36
Giri GK; Gade RM; Patil CU, 2001. Seed borne Bipolaris sorokiniana in wheat and its chemical control. Journal of Soils and Crops, 11:109-112
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Richardson, MJ. 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich Switzerland.
Zea mays
corn
No
DRECSA-2, CABI CPC, RICH ISTA
Although Subbaiah et.al. (1982) claim to have isolated Bipolaris sacchari from corn seed in India, there are no other references indicating that this fungus is a pathogen of corn or is found on seed. Seeds were from local production, and it is unknown whether these seeds were cleaned or conditioned as a seed crop.
Yes
Blotter incubation
This method has not been standardized or validated.
DRECSA-2
2025-12-23 13:24:32
Subbaiah PV; Shetty HS; Safeeulla KM, 1982. Incidence of seed-borne fungi in maize (Zea mays L.) and their significance. Indian Journal of Microbiology, 22:57-60
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Richardson, MJ. 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich Switzerland.
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