Bacterial Diseases of Banana

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There are two bacterial diseases that affect banana.

Pseudomonas wilt Erwinia rot

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Bacterial Diseases of Banana

Bacterial Diseases of Banana

This disease occurs in scattered plants or within group of plants.

Pseudomonas wilt

Initially the terminal leaves will wilt.

Then, in 2 to 3 days the plant will permanently wilt (Fig.).

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Symptoms

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Bacterial Diseases of Banana

The cortex region of the stem near the soil show browning of the cells.

Observe the normal stem and the infested stem (Figs.).

Normal stem

Pseudomonas wilt

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Symptoms

Bacterial Diseases of Banana

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.

Symptoms

Pseudomonas wilt

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Bacterial Diseases of Banana

The pathogen survives in soil for extended periods without the presence of banana crop in the field.

High temperature and high soil moisture favor disease development.

Mode of spread

The pathogen enters the plant system through wounds caused by cultivation practices, insect pests and nematodes.

Pseudomonas wilt

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Bacterial Diseases of Banana

Solarization, a method of heating soil by covering plastic sheets during hot periods (Fig.), will control this soil borne disease.

Management Practices

Select disease free suckers for planting. Discard disease infected suckers.

Pseudomonas wilt

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Bacterial Diseases of Banana

Spray herbicides such as 2,4-D or 2,4,5-T to kill the infected plants in situ.

Management Practices

Spray Dieldrin on chopped mat and spread the chopping on the soil. This will control the insects which transmits the disease.

Pseudomonas wilt

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Bacterial Diseases of Banana

Center or a portion of the rhizome will be rotting with distinct odor and very soft to touch.

Erwinia rot / Soft rot of rhizome

Symptoms

The rot progresses up the pseudo-stem causing internal decay often with vascular discoloration. The growing point is killed.

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Yellowing and wilting of the leaves are very characteristic symptoms (Fig.).

Externally, the symptoms sometimes resemble those of Fusarium wilt.

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Erwinia rot / Soft rot of rhizome

Symptoms

Bacterial Diseases of Banana

Drench the soil and plants with bleaching powder at 2 g per liter at 10 to 15 days interval.

Management Practices

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Erwinia rot / Soft rot of rhizome