DISEASES OF SUGAR CANE 



313 



represents a flowering shoot, is at first covered by a silvery 

 white sheath, which soon ruptures, exposing the spores as a 

 dense mass of black dust. 



Direct infection by spores appears to take place at the nodes, 

 and sets containing the mycelium give rise to infected plants. 

 The spores germinate in water or moist soil and give rise to 

 sporidia, which develop yeast-like budding cells. 



Fig. 126 UsTiLAGO Sacchari 



From Wakker & Wmt 



SCHIZOPHYLLUM ROT. 



The conspicuous fungus Schizophyllum commune, Fries., is 

 everywhere common on dead cane as on various dead branches, 

 bark and other vegetable material. It is sometimes seen on 

 standing cane, especially the dried or half-dried stalks met with 

 in reaping and known as " rotten cane." There is no reason 

 to beUeve that it ever occurs apart from previous serious injury 

 by borers or by other fungi, except perhaps on cane very much 

 over-ripe and beginning to dry up by reason of age. 



