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How to Control Black Sigatoka (Banana Leaf Spot)
| By Pinoy Farmer | April 30, 2009 |  |
Black Leaf Streak or Black Sigatoka was first recognized in Fiji in 1963. Since then, it has been found elsewhere and has steadily replaced yellow sigatoka in banana producing countries.
The disease is caused by a fungus, Mycosphaerrella fijiensis and is considered to be more virulent than yellow sigatoka.
When both diseases are present, black sigatoka predominates. Saba or Cardaba is resistant while Lakatan, Latundan, Bungulan, and Señorita are susceptible cultivars.
Transmission
When the conidia are released, they are disseminated by water while the ascopores are discharged during wet periods and dispersed by wind. The unfurling leaf and the first open are initially infected.
Under a crowded canopy and humid condition, the conidia can rapidly spread the disease on a susceptible variety.
Symptoms
• Initially, tiny brown streaks appear on the underside of the third and fourth leaves.
• After the streak stage, spots develop in a similar way as in yellow sigatoka.
• Streaks elongate into reddish-brown that later become dark brown or black.
• Dense aggregation of the black streaks may form and when these areas become water-soaked, the leaf turns black, dries up rapidly, and becomes brown.
Cultivar Reaction
All commercially grown varieties such as Cavendish, Grand Maine, Lakatan, Latundan, Bungulan, Saba or Cardaba, and Señorita are susceptible to this disease.
Control Measures
1. When planting bananas, you should consider the recommended population per unit area to avoid overlapping of leaf canopy that would create favorable microclimate for disease development.
2. Remove infected leaves to prevent faster spread of the disease. Cut the whole leaf when 75% of the entire leaf is spotted. If, infection is 50% or less, the leaf must be trimmed to remove spotted areas. However, deleafing should not be overdone.
3. Provide drainage canals to avoid waterlogging that triggers high humidity favorable for disease development.
4. Maintain proper plant nutrition.
5. Institute a planned chemical control program. For small farmers, apply fungicidal spray at the rate of 100 L/ha with either Dithane M-45 at 35 g/L, Daconil at 2 g/L, or Benlate at 1-2 g/L water at an interval of 14-21 days. Proper and adequate shaking of the spray solution must be maintained to avoid phytotoxicity on banana leaves and fruits.
Source: Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture
Topics: Crops & Vegetables, Farming Methods, How to | 10 Comments »
September 17th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Here in Davao Del Norte where export banana plantations are present, Benlate was discontinued for Sigatoka control. Moreover, spray intervals are shorter (7 days) for contact fungicides like Dithane and Daconil due to high inoculum and disease pressure as a result of monocopping.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
To control black sigatoka,a good ground support program like proper deleafing,on time fertilization,good weed control,good drainage and proper plant population density per hectare should be simultaneously applied to good Sigatoka chemical control program.
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I have a solution that works on sigatoka. Non toxic, organic. works wonders
June 28th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
A new organic fungicide has been developed locally and has been receiving favorable reviews from several research institutes. ANTICA is now available to the local market, and is cheaper compared to the chemical pesticides/fungicides available in the coutnry, a must try for banana growers.
August 5th, 2010 at 5:56 am
August 05, 2010
In controlling black sigatoka, a banana farmer must practice balance fertilization program using new method of applying liquid micronutrients that contain 16 vital essential elements being organically process or organic chelates. Active ingredients of dithane is MANCOZEB which is a composition of manganese, copper, zinc and boron. There are macro/micronutrients available in the market nowadays that composes of 3 primary nutrients 3 secondary nutrients and 10 micronutrients these are very essential in planting bananas of any kind variety. Due to climate change we need to have global awareness in nourishing farmlands through organic farming. We need to SAVE MOTHER EARTH. And when we will start, now is the time to act everyone has the role of saving our planet earth.How could we plant banana without an E because there is no more PLAN(E)T (E)ARTH.
November 19th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Any plant’s diseases whether fungal, bacterial or viral is a symptom of ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE OF THE SOIL in the farm, also an indicator that the soil is SICK,which surely produce sick plants,and likewise livestocks and humans who eats. The presence and outbreak of diseases, and pests is the result of an inappropriate farming system and abuse usage of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides that kills the beneficial microorganisms, so called the LIVING BRIDGE from the soil to the roots of the plants, and the friendly and useful insects.Everything starts from the SOIL. FEED the soil and the soil feed the plants.AGRI PLUS Probiotics, blends of GOOD BACTERIA proven effective in fighting fungus, Mycosphaerrella fijiensis that causes BLACK SIGATOKA AND OTHER BANANA LEAF DISEASES. WE SHOULD CONSIDER THINGS INTERRELATED AND INTERDEPENDENT. OUR APPROACH SHOULD BE HOLISTIC. work with our mother nature. HEALTHY SOIL WILL NURTURE GOOD PLANTS,ANIMALS, HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENT.RE-LEARN HOW NATURE FARM.
November 19th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Les informations données sur la cercosporiose noire de la banane, pouvant permettre aider à mieux controle la maladie, pour un rendement souhaitable en vue d’apporter une amélioration pour un plus bon rendement et de fruits de bonne qualité.
November 22nd, 2010 at 11:05 pm
sir please give the remedy for leaf spot of banana the way of organic control. It is serious problem in my field.These spots are coming after rain.
Thank you sir
December 8th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
scientist should come out of a certain chemical that could be injected such as immunization program to prevent fungus to develop.
January 7th, 2011 at 9:07 am
Your nice blog is certainly worth a read if anyone comes across it. Im lucky used to do because now Ive got a complete new view of this. I didnt realise that your issue was so important and so universal. You definitely placed it in perspective for all of us, thanks for the fantatic tips.