Coryneform bacterium is mainly responsible for causing RSD in sugarcane which spreads through disease setts.

Symptoms  
Yellowish leaves, reduced tillering, Stunted internodes and dwarfing of the plant are the Characteristic symptoms of RSD. The infected canes when split open longitudinally orange red vascular bundles in shades of pink, red & reddish brown or yellow orange at the nodes can be seen. Well defined symptoms appear in the crop deficit in moisture, nutrients etc.
Management
• Setts should be select from disease free fields.
• Remove disease infected clumps and burn it.
• Setts treatment should be done before planting.