Non-PR | IFPRI4

The tristeza virus and its vector Toxoptera citricidus are present in Guyana, as well as the susceptible rootstock sour orange. Indexing was carried out between 1964 and 1974 and interest was revived in 1982 but this has yet to be resumed

Second to Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis), Moko (Pseudomonas solanacearum race 2) is the most threatening disease to plantains and bananas. No resistance has been found on commercial varieties. It is present throughout Central America, as well as in Trinidad, Grenada, Brazil, Surinam, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and suspected in the Dominican Republic. Its detailed distribution in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru is described. Symptoms, pathogenesis and survival of race 2, which is pathogenic and divided into SFR, the major disease agent on bluggoe, and A and B are described. Disease control by elimination of diseased plants by glyphosate injections is detailed. Good control was achieved in 70 % of infected farms with a 90 day fallow after injection

Damage to citrus is mainly due to citrus weevils (Diaprepes spp.), scale insects and aphids. Other minor pests are listed. Exocortis and Tristeza are absent but diseases of minor importance are greasy spot (Mycosphaerella citri) and melanose (Erisiphe sp.)

Important features of the disease Pseudomonas solanacearum or Moko, affecting banana and plantain are reviewed. The history and distribution, host range, symptoms, causal organisms and dissemination, pathogen cycle, disease resistance and control based on sanitation methods are briefly described

The strategy is preventative based on a climatic forecasting system which receives data from 14 agroclimatic stations, complemented by biological assessments. The method used is termed 'state of evolution', an expression of the speed of disease development which varies with inoculum potential and climatic conditions. Benzimidazole and sterol-inhibiting fungicides are applied in rotation

Phytosanitary practices are recommended to reduce the incidence in the Windward Islands of banana pests and diseases: leaf spot (Mycosphaerella musicola), crown rot (Fusarium roseum), virus diseases (bunchy top), moko disease (Pseudomonas solanacearum), banana borer (Cosmopolites sordidus), rust thrips (Chaetonophothrips signipennis), flower thrips (Frankliniella parvula), Lachnopus beetle and nematodes

The advantages of shoot tip planting material in banana production are briefly outlined. The production scheme and ongoing research at IRFA/Vitropic are summarised