Sugarcane white leaf disease:A review

Sugarcane white leaf disease(SCWL)caused by phloem-colonized phytoplasma is one of the most destruc-tive quarantine diseases on sugarcane. This paper summarized disease symptoms,pathogenic phytoplasma,disease trans-mission and occurrence regularity. The application prospect of several pathogenic diagnosis methods were discussed in the paper,and pointed out that DNA biosensor would develop into the most convenient and effective tool for diagnosis of SCWL in field. Application and control efficiency of several SCWL control strategies were introduced. And the paper pointed out that using the genetically modified symbiotic microorganisms which came from transmitted insects to control the spread of SCWL will become the new research direction to prevent the spread of disease source. In addition,following suggestions were proposed to avoid the spread of SCWL phytoplasma between sugarcane planting areas and ensure the sustainable and healthy development of sugar industry:strengthening the quarantine and inspection of SCWL when import sugarcane materials and transport sugarcane cuttings between sugarcane planting areas,taking effective comprehensive prevention and control measures according to local climatic condition.