Sugarcane Leaf Scald Disease in Côte d'Ivoire: Pathogenicity and Biocontrol of Xanthomonas albilineans Isolates

Abstract

Aims: The present investigations describes bactericidal potential of essential oil for management of Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby. 1929) Dowson 1943, pathogen responsible for sugarcane Leaf scald disease in Côte d'Ivoire. Study Design: the study was conducted at the Ferké 1 sugar mill and the Laboratory of Plant Physiology of Felix Houphouët BOIGNY University. Methodology: Diseased leaves specimens showing signs of X. albilineans presence were collected from sugarcane industrial plantations in Côte d'Ivoire. Pathogenicity was confirmed by observing Koch’s postulates under semi-controlled conditions. Asymptomatic leaves, obtained after 60 days of culture, were inoculated at three points by infiltration with bacterial suspension calibrated at 108 bacteria/ml. Apparition of small tan-brown necrotic lesions on the leaf blade, parallel to the veins and prolonged to the ends by a discolored vascular bundle confirmed that disease is caused by Xanthomonas albilineans. Three essential oils of aromatic plants whose antibacterial properties are recognized were used at 100; 300; 500; 1000 and 2000 ppm in comparison with Callicuivre (56% copper oxychloride) used as reference product. Results: The aqueous solutions based on these essential oils induced an inhibition zone of bacterial growth proportional to the dose applied and the incubation period. Thus, on day 5 of incubation, the essential oil solution of Ocimum gratissimum L. at 100 ppm induced an average inhibition zone diameter not significantly different from the one induced by the Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf solution at 300 ppm and the one of copper oxychloride at 1000 ppm. At 1000 ppm, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf and Ocimum gratissimum L essential oils induced equivalent inhibition rates (6 mm) that were higher than that of the control (3.5 mm). Conclusion: sugarcane varieties cultivated at the Ferké 1 sugar mill complex, despite the selection for resistance are threatened by Leaf Scald Disease, which is significantly expressed on variety R585. Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf and Ocimum gratissimum L oils have the strongest antibacterial activity and may be useful to control Leaf Scald Disease.