Sugarcane yellow leaf virus and its impact in sugarcane

Yellow leaf disease caused by Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) is an important disease of sugarcane world wide. The virus belongs to Polerovirus Luteoviridae. The disease affects cane yield in many varieties under cultivation. The loss in cane yield was estimated upto 50-60 % and juice yield in the harvested canes is about 30-35%. The virus is transmitted by Melanaphis sacchari in the field. The vector transmission has been experimentally proved. Molecular diagnostics including qRT-PCR were developed to precisely detect the virus in sugarcane and aphids. The major disease management strategy established was elimination of the virus through meristem culture combined with molecular diagnosis. The virus-free plants regained its vigour in the field and recorded 30-40 % more yield. The virus genomes were completely sequenced and characterized.