Banana diseases are broadly classified into two groups namely fungal and bacterial diseases. It is a good idea to remember that there are other diseases caused by either viruses or insects. Some of the diseases affect banana bunch while others affect their leaves and stems. So, what are the diseases of bananas?
Fungal Diseases
As their name suggests, fungal diseases are caused by fungi. Below are some of the known fungal diseases.
1. Anthracnose
This is an airborne fungal disease spread by conidia, an asexual non-motile fungal spore produced at the tip of a specialized hypha.
Anthracnose is characterized by the presence of a black spot on the surface of a banana flower and or fruit. If not attended to within the right time the spot is widely spread on the surface and might end up affecting the whole bunch. If not controlled, it might cause premature ripening of banana fruit.
2. Black Sigatoka
Also referred to as yellow sigatoka or mycosphaerella leaf spot, black sigatoka is a fungal disease characterized by black spots on either topside or underside of a banana leaf running parallel to leaf veins. After some time the center of the spot dies and turns grey surrounded by a yellow halo. It is common in poorly drained soils and in places that experience dew most of the time. When it is widely spread it makes the leaves appear like they are burnt.
3. Cigar end rot
This disease is caused by Verticillium and Trachysphaera fungus and is characterized by a visible dark rot and wrinkle at the tip of the banana figure.
4. Panama Wilt
Caused by Fusarium oxysporum. It is the most lethal banana disease which starts in the soil at the root and gets to the stem. Panama wilt causes yellowing of older leaves before it spreads to new leaves longitudinally splitting the stem and killing it completely.
Bacterial Diseases
1. Rhizome rot
Rhizome rot is majorly common in young banana plants and is characterized by yellow or brown turning of inner tissues leading to rotting and emission of a bad smell from the dead rhizomes.
2. Banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW)
Also referred to as banana bacterial wilt (BBW), banana xanthomonas wilt is caused by Xanthomonas campestris. It is characterized by yellow leaves that turn brown and later die. This leads to premature ripening which is uneven.
Above image of Xanthomonas bacterial wilt of enset caused by X. campestris pv. musacearum. It demonstrated yellowing of banana leaves and pockets of bacterial ooze.
3. Moko disease
Moko disease is caused by Ralstonia solanacaerum. It is spread by insects, farm tools, and root contacts. The leaves turn yellow starting from the old leaves and progressing upwards to the new eaves. It leads to wilting and collapse of the entire canopy and the pseudo stem.
Other common known banana diseases include banana mosaic and bunchy top which are viral diseases. Banana aphids, banana skippers, banana weevil, and coconut scales are diseases caused by insects.
Reference
- Blomme, G., Dita, M., Jacobsen, K. S., Pérez Vicente, L., Molina, A., Ocimati, W., Poussier, S., & Prior, P. (2017). Bacterial diseases of bananas and Enset: Current state of knowledge and integrated approaches toward sustainable management. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01290
- FAO. (2019). FAO supporting battle against dreaded banana disease | FAO. https://www.fao.org/americas/noticias/ver/en/c/230146/