Ratoon stunting disease (RSD) of sugarcane (Sacchrum spp. Hyb.), caused by bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx), is one of the most important economically damaging diseases worldwide. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of RSD on plant growth and the endogenous hormone levels in sugarcane stalks. Two mechanical cane varieties (i.e. sugar cane variety of ROC22 and chewing cane variety of Badila) were selected as the plant materials and RSD infection was determined by using PCR reaction. The seedcanes were grown in pots,and three treatments were done: pathogen-free seedcanes as control; seedcanes with thermal treatment: RSD infected seedcanes were treated at 52 ℃ for 30 min; RSD infected seedcanes. During the experiment, the plant heights were investigated, and the endogenous hormone levels in cane stalks were analyzed after planting in 90,120,150 and 180 d, respectively. The results showed that: the plant heights of the RSD infected seedcanes were significantly lower than those of the control and the thermal treatment.The contents of GA3 and IAA were obviously lower in the RSD infected seedcanes than those in the control and the thermal treatment in contrast to the content of ABA which was higher in the infected seedcane treatment as compared with the control and the thermal treatment; two cane varieties showed the same patterns and there was no significant difference between the control and the thermal treatment in plant height and endogenous hormone levels. Therefore, the thermal therapy is efficient to control RSD in sugarcane.