Effect of banana bunchy top virus infection on morphology and growth characteristics of banana

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in Oahu, Hawaii, to investigate the effects of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) infection on growth and morphology of banana (Musa acuminata). The time interval between aphid inoculation of BBTV and the initial appearance of disease symptoms (i.e. incubation period) was also determined. Plants infected with BBTV showed a significant reduction in petiole size (i.e. length and distance), plant canopy and height, leaf area, pseudostem diameter and chlorophyll content compared with control plants. Growth differences between virus-infected and control plants were not observed until 40-50 days after the plants were inoculated with viruliferous aphids. Other growth parameters such as petiole width and leaf production were not statistically different between infected and control plants. The incubation period of banana bunchy top disease or appearance of symptoms ranged from 25 to 85 days after aphid inoculation. However, PCR assays provided earlier detection of BBTV in banana plants compared with visual symptoms.

Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex. Poir Inoculated with a Nigerian Strain of Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus (MWMV): Lagenaria breviflora Isolate

“…J. Plant Pathol., 6 (2): 36-47, 2015 to stress physiology (Hooks et al, 2008). Chlorophyll a and b are the two most important pigments used in plant photosynthetic processes and low levels of these chlorophylls can directly limit photosynthetic activity (Taiz and Zeiger, 1991).…”

“…In Mungbean plants infected with Mungbena Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV), Sinha and Srivastava (2010) reported a reduction in chlorophyll at different stages of growth. Hooks et al (2008) also reported a reduction in chlorophyll content in banana infected with Banana bunchy top virus. In ash gourd, a decrease in chlorophyll content caused by Bottle gourd Mosaic Virus (BgMV), Watermelon Mosaic Virus-2 (WMV-2) and papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) have been reported.…”

“…Kareem and Taiwo (2006) observed that cowpea cultivars inoculated with CABMV alone and in combination with SBMV resulted in significant reduction in leaf number when compared with control plants. Infection of banana with banana bunchy top virus showed reduction in petiole size, plant canopy and height, leaf area and pseudostem diameter content when compared with control plants (Hooks et al, 2008). Pazarlar et al (2013) also reported significant decrease in growth and physiological parameters in some pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum L.) infected with TMV.…”

Mapping Banana Plants from High Spatial Resolution Orthophotos to Facilitate Plant Health Assessment

“…Banana plants can only be infected from (1) infected plant material and (2) the banana aphid when carrying the virus [3]. When people give away young banana plants or suckers to others the BBTV can spread.…”

“…The wind can carry aphids many kilometres, which may result in further spreading the BBTV. Hook et al [3] showed that the incubation period of BBTV or appearance of symptoms in banana plants ranged from 25 to 85 days after aphid inoculation.…”