science report

Fighting Sigatoka in Bananas

By: Laarni Tizel S. Lawas

A virulent plant disease affecting banana production worldwide is an airborne disease called Black Sigatoka (BS). It is caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis. This fungus destroys the leaves of the banana plants and causes premature ripening of the fruit. If left untreated, BS can quickly destroy even the entire banana farms.

Currently, the only effective way for commercial banana growers to control the fungus is through aerial spraying of fungicides. However this process is expensive because it requires spray planes, fuel and fungicides as well as pilots, monitoring staff and field supervisors.

On the other hand, Dr. Ronald Romero, Director of Chiquita Tropical Organization in Costa Rica said in his article “Aerial Spraying,” that the best defense against BS is to keep plants healthy, and that is the object of all agricultural practices. He cited the following strategies in maintaining the good health of plants:

• Maintaining proper spacing between plants
• Keeping drainage canals clean
• Controlling weeds
• Aggressively pruning infected leaves

The strategies mentioned above help reduce humidity and thus the growth of the fungus, and to prevent the spread of the disease.

In support of aerial spraying, Dr. Romero emphasized that good agricultural practices alone are not sufficient to stop outbreaks of BS that is why aerial spraying of fungicides is applied.

Mr. Roberto Apale, Harvest Coordinator of Marsman Drysdale Isalon Organic Banana Agri-venture Inc. (MDIOBAVI) in Bongabong, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province, said that they use two groups of fungicides in controlling BS--protectant and systemic fungicides. The former are sprayed on banana leaves in an effort to protect them from fungus while the latter kill the fungus after it has infected the leaves.

Mr. Apale continued that Marsman’s time of interval for spraying is at least 7 days, depending on the intensity of the BS.

Since the plantation was surrounded by the residents of the place, spraying is done only within the buffer zone that is 15 meters away from the boundary line. Aside from that, the monitoring staff places notices painted on boards informing the people that there is an undergoing aerial spray.

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Sources:s

Mr. Roberto Apale

- Harvest Coordinator of Marsman Drysdale Isalon Organic Banana Agri-venture Inc.(MDIOBAVI) based in Bongabong, Pantulan, Compostela Valley Province Dr. Ronald Romero.Aerial Spraying.2002.http://www.chiquita.com/chiquitacr1/4cases/cro66.asp.12/26/07.