Some major banana diseases in the Philippines and their control

Abstract

Bananas are an important crop in the Philippines, providing fruit for both local consumption and export. It is, however, grown in the face of several major disease problems, the nature of which are here reviewed. Successful production depends on a strictly maintained programme of integrated pest and disease management.

The biology and control of Colletotrichum species on tropical fruit crops

“…In the Philippines, leaf pruning, spraying the newly emerged bunches with mancozeb and covering them with plastic bags is recommended to control anthracnose (Anon., 1988). Other foliar pathogens such as Sigatoka \caf sipoX (Mycosphaerella musicola) and black leaf streak (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) are controlled by the use of mancozeb, benzimidazoles and other systemic fungicides and this may also help reduce anthracnose damage (San Juan, 1985).…”

“…Eckert & Ogawa (1985) report that, in general, post-harvest dips or sprays of thiabendazole or benomyl have been the most commonly used treatments for the control of crown rot. while thiophanate-methyl has been preferred by the Japanese importers (San Juan. 1985).…”

“…A similar situation occurs for bananas, in which newly formed fruit bunches may be bagged with polythene to protect them from insect attack. Anthracnose incidence and other post-harvest diseases are again reduced by this practice (San Juan, 1985). Vacuum-packing of harvested bananas also reduces lesions due to C. musae, possibly because of the extended period of freshness of the fruit in transit (San Juan, 1985).…”