Banana
Banana Xanthomonas Wilt
Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum
Bacteria
In a Nutshell
- Bacterial ooze excreted from plant organs.
- Internal fruit discoloration and premature ripening.
- Wilting and yellowing of the leaves.
Can also be found in
Banana
Symptoms
Symptoms normally appear within 3 weeks after infection. The severity of the disease and its spreading depend to a high degree on the variety, the growth stage and the environmental conditions. Infected plants show a progressive yellowing and wilting of the leaves, and uneven and premature ripening of the fruit. However, the most characteristic symptom is the excretion of a yellowish bacterial ooze from the plant organs. A cross section of an infected banana shows a yellow- orange discoloration of the vascular bundles and dark brown scarings of the tissues. Symptoms on the inflorescence include a gradual wilting of the bracts and shriveling of the male buds.
Recommendations
Organic Control
To this day, no biological treatment is known to control the spreading of this bacteria. Please notify us if you know of any.
Chemical Control
Always consider an integrated approach with preventive measures together with biological treatments if available. Conventional antibiotics have been used to manage plant diseases caused by this bacteria but they are seldom cost-effective. In some cases herbicides have been advised as a more economical and effective way of destroying infected banana crop and avoiding the spread of the disease.
What caused it?
The symptoms are caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, a particularly tenacious bacteria that can cause considerable damage in banana plantations. Its spreading occurs via infected plant material, contaminated tools, airborne vectors through exposed male flowers. The bacteria can also contaminate the soil for up to 4 months and this is the main sources of inoculum. Moisture levels affected survival, which was lowest in the drier soils. Airborne vectors include insects of the families of the stingless bees (Apidae), fruit flies (Drosophilidae) and grass flies (Chloropidae). These transmit the disease from banana to banana after being drawn to the infected nectar produced by male flowers.
Preventive Measures
- Consider quarantine regulations when importing plant material.
- Chose resistant varieties, if available in your area.
- Monitor the plantations regularly for signs of the disease.
- Quickly remove and destroy infected plants and debris from the plantation.
- Make sure to use clean and sterilized tools.
- Remove male flowers to prevent vector transmission.
- Avoid transport of any infested plant material between plantations.
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