In vitro evaluation of red rot toxin influence on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) var. CoC 671

Abstract

Red rot of sugarcane caused by Colletotrichum falcatum Went has become a threatening disease for the popular cultivar CoC 671. The work on isolation of red rot resistant lines using cellular selection is in progress. During present work an improved technique is developed for isolation of red rot toxic metabolite in higher quantity using sugarcane host extract medium (1 g/101 of culture filtrate). The toxin was partially purified and incorporated into the MS medium supporting the growth of sugarcane callus of var. CoC 671. The lower levels (0.05%) did not inhibit the growth, however, the delay in callus proliferation was seen beyond 0.1% toxin level. The growth of callus was completely inhibited with 0.5% toxin concentration in the basal medium. The results confirm the pathogenicity of the isolated metabolite and limits of toxicity in vitro condition.