200 NEW SUGARCANE DISEASES 



In October, 1909, 35 canes in a plot of strong healthy Red 

 Mauritius, about 7 months old, were inoculated at Samalkota by 

 removing a cylinder, about half an inch in length, with a small, 

 flamed cork borer and inserting a small tuft of mycelium. The 

 cylinder was replaced after cutting a little off the end, and the 

 wounded stem bound with sterile gutta-percha sheeting. Seven 

 weeks later, two of the inoculated canes commenced to wither. 

 In January, 1910, another inoculated cane withered and was sent 

 to Pusa for examination. The condition of the stem was similar 

 to that in the canes from which the fungus was first obtained. 

 The inoculated internode was bright red. The reddening extended 

 upwards for 3 internodes, the 3rd having only one bright red 

 bundle. Higher up, the translucent, water^^ condition of the 

 pith, already described, was found. Downwards, the reddening 

 extended for 2 internodes. Hyphre were numerous in the redden- 

 ed parts and pure cultures of the fungus used in inoculating were 

 obtained readily. Tn February, four moreot the withering inocu- 

 lated canes were received, as well as two non -inoculated canes 

 arising from the same clumps, which seemed to have become infec- 

 ted secondarily. The inoculated canes had typical symptoms. In 

 two, the infection had extended downwards to the base of the stool, 

 the upper part being less affected. In the other two, distinct red- 

 dening occurred for 2 or 3 internodes above the wound and the 

 pith was translucent and hollow m the centre for some 10 inter- 

 nodes higher. The hypha) were, as usual, confined to the reddened 

 [)<)rti()n, where they were plentiful and easily obtained in pure 

 culture, giving rise to the same fungus used in inoculating. The 

 two non-inoculated canes had become infected from below ground, 

 apparently through the roots, and were withering as a result of the 

 attack. The funofus was recovered from these canes also. Earlv 

 in March the plot was inspected by one of us (E. J. B.). A number 

 of the inoculated canes had withered and the disease had extended 

 in some cases to other canes in the same clumps. The rest of the 

 plot WHS quite free from disease, except where the second series of 

 inoculation.s, to be described below, was located. The symptoms 

 were typical and left no doubt of the success of the inoculations. 



