ABSTRACT
Sugarcane is infected by different types of Diseases which make sugarcane production in Nigeria
and all other sugarcane growing countries of the world face a great challenge. However, the use of
tolerant variety and resistant variety remains the most effective and economical means of controlling
these diseases.
Therefore, this study was carried out at the Unilorin Sugar Research Institute Germplasm, during the
2010-2011 cropping season under field condition to measure the incidence and severity of sugarcane
smut disease in Osin local sugarcane variety.
The Osin local sugarcane was observed for smut incidence and severity level as well as their growth
parameters. Data collected include: number of total plant and infected plant under observation, Stalk
length of diseased and healthy plants per row, length of healthy and diseased leaves per sample plant
[were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)].
It was concluded from the results of data analysis, that Osin local sugarcane was susceptible to
sugarcane smut infection. The research also shows that sugarcane smut infection can reduce to some
extent, the growth of infected plants especially the height, furthermore reducing the mill able cane.