ABSTRACT
Phytoplasma-infecting sugarcane represent a major constraint in the production of sugarcane worldwide. Sugarcane is known to be severely affected by three major phytoplasma diseases viz., yellow leaf disease (YLD), caused by Sugarcane yellows phytoplasma (SCYP); white leaf disease (WLD), induced by Sugarcane white leaf phytoplasma (SCWLP); and grassy shoot disease (GSD), incited by Sugarcane grassy shoot phytoplasma (SCGSP). During the last three decades, YLD has emerged as serious constraint in sugarcane production; it is induced due to the single or mixed infection Sugarcane yellow leaf virus and/or SCYP phytoplasma. Among these diseases, YLD, GSD, and WLD have been evidenced as an economically serious constraint causing significant reduction in sugarcane yield and yield-contributing parameters worldwide. Delphacid planthoppers (Saccharosydne sachharivora) is one of the prominent insect vectors in the transmission of phytoplasma. This chapter focusses on the diagnosis, distribution, and management strategies of sugarcane phytoplasma in India.
