Physiological consequences of sugarcane yellow leaf virus infection on the sugarcane plant

Physiological studies conducted on SCYLV-infected and virus-free plants of the cultivar H87-4094 showed that leaves of infected plants exhibited a higher carbohydrate level, a lowered chlorophyll a/b ratio (at the same total chlorophyll content per leaf area), and a smaller photosynthetic capacity. This indicates that assimilate export in infected plants was reduced compared to virus-free plants. The growth rate of infected plants was reduced, especially in the young shoots. Biomass and mature stalk fresh weight was reduced in SCYLV-infected 13-month-old cane. SCYLV-infection can reduce yields when assimilate export is not limited by other internal or external factors.