Describes the phytosanitary measures in force and those that are planned. These include provision of virus-free registered mother trees to nurseries, registration of citrus nurseries, regulation of seed and imports, and inspection of farms and nurseries

Outlines the history and objectives of the California Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) which conducts research and is a primary source of disease-free budwood of desirable true-to-type citrus scion and rootstock varieties designed to exclude graft transmissible diseases (virus and virus-like)

Research is directed towards study of host-parasite relations. The 3 Sigatoka leaf spot pathogens, Mycosphaerella musicola (Yellow Sigatoka), M. fijiensis (Black Leaf Streak) and M. fijiensis difformis are compared morphologically and pathogenically. Species identification by electrophoresis on acrylamide gels has been studied, the species also differ in host range, geographical range, symptoms and distribution of lesions. Early tests of susceptibility of plantlets from meristem culture suggest that they react to infection in the same way as observed in the field

The leaf spot diseases of bananas and plantains, Sigatoka and Black Sigatoka, caused by Mycosphaerella musicola and M. fijiensis var. difformis are distributed worldwide and only in Central America respectively. Epidemiological studies are described in detail including seventy of the pathogens at different sites and correlation with climatic data. Susceptibilities of different banana and plantain genomic groups were found to be nearly identical for both diseases except that Black Sigatoka is more virulent so that both pathogens occupy the same ecological niche. A method developed to test the susceptibility of musa clones to Black Sigatoka using plantlets derived from shoot tip culture is described

Pests of major economic significance, their distribution in the Commonwealth Caribbean, the damage they cause and practices for their control are tabulated. The types of pests discussed are defoliators and foliage sap feeders and those causing damage to fruit, fiddler beetles, fruit flies, scale insects, and fruit piercing moths. The potentially serious pests of quarantine significance are summarised with their worldwide distribution and host plants other than citrus. The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata and the aphid vector of Tristeza, Toxoptera citricidus are significant

Poor phytosanitation affects banana quality through physical defects, harbouring of pests and diseases. The implications on marketing are briefly discussed

A diseased mat eradication programme in which mats are injected with Round up, followed by cygon spray and the area sprayed with Gramoxone has been successful. 216,812 mats were destroyed between 1978 and July 1985. Findings of research funded by the EDF include early detection of infected mats by examination for corm discolouration, possibility of Ricinus comunis, begonia jumbie tomato (Solanum sp.) and Xanthosoma sp. as alternative hosts, a recommended fallow period between injection of mats and re-planting of 9-12 months, optimum weed killer and application rate (Round up at 20 mls 2 % soln) and a buffer zone of more than 8 in. in radius

A summary of the research programme for control of Diaprepes abbreviatus which is primarily responsible for citrus dieback disease. Studies include: population dynamics of the pest, presence of oophagi parasites of which 3 have been discovered in Guadeloupe (Tetrastichus sp. 1 and 2, and Ceratogramma) and one in Martinique (Tetrastichus sp. 3), nematode parasites and fungal parasites. Alternative rootstocks are being tested as well as the effects of soil physical conditions

The disease is endemic in Guyana and both the B and SFR strains of Pseudomonas solanacearum race 2 are present. Four resistant varieties have been introduced viz. Pilipita, Enano, Congo and Mari Congo, the first of which was best adapted to the conditions but has fruit of limited marketability

Martinique is in the favourable position of being free of tristeza and its vector Toxoptera citricidus, mal secco, greening, citrus canker or blight. The Fruit Research Station with equipment for virus indexing and strict sanitary inspection at the customs makes it an ideal location for a regional germplasm bank and for multiplication of vegetative material