1. Bacterial Diseases of Banana
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2. Bacterial Diseases of Banana
There are two bacterial diseases that affect banana.
Pseudomonas wilt
Erwinia rot
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3. Pseudomonas wilt Symptoms
This disease occurs in scattered plants or within group of plants.
Initially the terminal leaves will wilt.
Then, in 2 to 3 days the plant will permanently wilt (Fig.).
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4. Pseudomonas wilt Symptoms
The cortex region of the stem near the soil show browning of the cells.
Normal stem
Observe the normal stem and the infested stem (Figs.).
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5. Pseudomonas wilt Symptoms
The cortex region of the fruit also show browning of the cells.
Adventitious roots also may develop on the main stem due to the wilt disease.
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6. Pseudomonas wilt Mode of spread
The pathogen survives in soil for extended periods without the presence of banana crop in the field.
The pathogen enters the plant system through wounds caused by cultivation practices, insect pests and nematodes.
High temperature and high soil moisture favor disease development.
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7. Pseudomonas wilt Management Practices
Solarization, a method of heating soil by covering plastic sheets during hot periods (Fig.), will control this soil borne disease.
Select disease free suckers for planting. Discard disease infected suckers.
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8. Pseudomonas wilt Management Practices
Spray herbicides such as 2,4-D or 2,4,5-T to kill the infected plants in situ.
Spray Dieldrin on chopped mat and spread the chopping on the soil. This will control the insects which transmits the disease.
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9. Erwinia rot / Soft rot of rhizome
Symptoms
Center or a portion of the rhizome will be rotting with distinct odor and very soft to touch.
The rot progresses up the pseudo-stem causing internal decay often with vascular discoloration. The growing point is killed.
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10. Erwinia rot / Soft rot of rhizome
Symptoms
Yellowing and wilting of the leaves are very characteristic symptoms (Fig.).
Externally, the symptoms sometimes resemble those of Fusarium wilt.
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11. Erwinia rot / Soft rot of rhizome
Management Practices
Drench the soil and plants with bleaching powder at 2 g per liter at 10 to 15 days interval.
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