Laboratory support systems for the sugarcane smut effort

FOLLOWING the discovery of sugarcane smut in the Childers/Bundaberg district in June 2006, BSES pathologists have been actively involved in managing the disease. Monitoring, issuing movement permits, advising on control measures and screening for resistance are just some of the many activities that have been undertaken during the response. Planning and decision-making need to be backed up with scientific understanding of the disease organism, and much of this work goes on behind the scenes in the laboratory. This paper describes recent efforts to investigate disinfectants and thermal treatments, and implement diagnostic screening. Disinfectants are needed for cleaning down machinery and implements that might be contaminated by smut spores. Compounds such methylated spirits, household bleach, and commercial agricultural products such as Farmcleanse® and Sterimax® have been tested. Heat treatments can also be used in the industry to reduce the spread of smut spores. Fertiliser bags, machines, tools, cane mulch, etc., that might be contaminated with smut spores can be heat treated to kill any spores that may have contaminated the surface of the item. A range of both moist- and dry-heat treatments have been tested. A DNA-based diagnostic test has been implemented in the laboratory to screen samples collected from properties suspected of having smut infection