Horticulture

Banana Bract Mosaic Disease Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

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The Banana Bract Mosaic Disease caused by the virus Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBMV) is a viral disease that affects banana plants worldwide. The economic impact of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease is significant, as it reduces fruit yield, quality, and marketability and can result in the complete loss of yield. The disease is spread through insect vectors, mainly aphids, and can be transmitted through infected planting material.

Banana Bract Mosaic Disease Management

The spread of the disease can be avoided by using disease-free planting materials and implementing proper cultural and chemical control measures. To effectively manage this disease, it is essential to understand its disease cycle, the mode of disease spread, and the best methods for controlling it. This article will provide an overview and discussion of the Banana Bract Mosaic Virus Disease in Banana crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.

Banana Bract Mosaic Disease Management

The Causal Organism of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

  • BBMV is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Family Potyviridae of Order Patatavirales of the Phylum Pisuviricota. It was first identified in India in the 1960s.
  • It is also known to infect some wild banana species, which can serve as a reservoir and a potential source of new infections.
  • BBMV is transmitted through infected planting material, contaminated tools, and insects like aphids and mealybugs.

The Disease Cycle of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

The disease cycle of the Banana Bract Mosaic Disease caused by the Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBMV) is complex and involves multiple stages. The virus is transmitted through vegetative propagation and by banana aphids (Pentalonia nigronervosa) and banana lacewing bugs (Stephanitis typicus). Once the virus enters the plant, it replicates and spreads systemically through the phloem tissue infecting various tissues, including leaves, pseudostems, and fruit bunches.

The infected plants show no symptoms in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, characteristic symptoms appear. The virus can be present in the plant for several months before symptoms become visible, making early detection and control difficult. The virus can also persist in the soil and infected plant debris for long periods, and can be transmitted to healthy plants through root-to-root contact.

As banana plants are propagated vegetatively, the virus can easily spread using infected planting material. Additionally, infected plant debris left in the field after harvest can source infection for subsequent crops. The disease is primarily spread by infected suckers and transmitted by aphid vectors like Pentalonia nigronervosa, Aphis gossypii, and Rhopalosiphum maidis.

Occurrence of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease in Banana Crop

  • Location of Banana Bract Mosaic disease: This disease occurs in Banana crops in India, Africa, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Australia.
  • Host range: The most common crops affected by BBMV are Bananas, Plantains, and Heliconias.

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Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

Favorable Conditions for Banana Bract Mosaic Disease Spread in the Field

  • Warm temperatures, high humidity, and moisture create a conducive environment for the virus to multiply and spread.
  • The virus can infect banana plants at any growth stage, but young plants are most susceptible.
  • The infection can occur through wounds in the plant tissue, such as those caused by pruning, pests, and other forms of damage. Infected tools, equipment, and workers can also spread the virus.
  • The spread of BBMV is also facilitated by the monoculture cultivation of bananas, which increases the risk of infection and makes it easier for the virus to spread rapidly through the entire crop.
  • The virus can survive in infected plant debris, weeds, and other hosts, including non-banana plants, and can be transmitted through infected planting material, sap, and vectors such as aphids.

Damage Symptoms of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

  • This disease is characterized by yellowing and reddish-pink streaking on the plant’s flowers, leaves, and pseudostems.
  • Infected plants generally show spindle-shaped mosaic streak patterns on the bracts, suckers, and fruits, including ringspot and mottling.
  • The infected plants may also display leaf distortion, stunted growth, and reduced yield.
  • The convergence of leaves with a traveler’s palm appearance in the crown, elongated peduncle, and partially filled hands are also characteristic symptoms of this virus.

Percentage of Yield Loss Due to Banana Bract Mosaic Disease in Banana Crop

  • The disease can cause 30% yield losses in the United States. In Mexico, yield losses are 60%. In India, the yield losses are 50%. In Bangladesh, the losses are 20-25%. In Sri Lanka, the losses are 80%. In China, a 30% yield loss is seen. In Africa, yield losses are up to 80%.
  • In Indonesia, it is 10-50%. In Vietnam, it is 50%. In Ecuador, it is 70%. In Peru, it is 30%. In the Philippines, it is 50%. In Malaysia, it is 80%. In Colombia, it is 50%. In Thailand, it is 50%. In Brazil, it is 80%. In Australia, the losses are 5-10%. The Economic Threshold Level is determined at 5% affected crop.

Cultural Control Measures of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

  • Before planting, the soil should be tested for the virus and nematode populations, and only the disease-free soil should be used.
  • Infected plants should be uprooted and destroyed, including those with mild or moderate symptoms, as they can serve as sources of virus inoculum.
  • Perform weeding regularly to prevent the virus from surviving in them during the off-season.
  • Farmers should maintain clean farming practices and regularly clean equipment, tools, and other materials used in the production process to prevent the spread of the virus.

Biological Control Measures of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

  • Bacillus subtilis is a plant growth-promoting soil rhizobacterium (PGPR) that colonizes the banana rhizosphere of plants, promoting plant growth and health.
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens is another PGPR that produces a range of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics, that can inhibit viral growth and stimulate the plant’s immune system.

Chemical Control Measures of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

  • Spray Methyl Demeton, Phosphomidon, or Monocrotophos on the leaves of the plants to control the aphid insect vectors that transmit this virus.
  • Ribavirin is a synthetic antiviral drug that inhibits the virus’s replication process, reducing its population and preventing further spread.
  • Salicylic acid is a plant hormone that regulates plant defense responses against pathogens.

Organic Control Measures of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

  • Organic amendments such as compost and manure help improve soil fertility, promoting plant health and reducing the incidence of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease.
  • Cover crops such as legumes and grasses provide a natural barrier against pests and diseases. They also help improve soil health and fertility, enhancing the plant’s natural defense against diseases.

Preventive Measures for Control of Banana Bract Mosaic Disease

  • Do not use cucurbits to intercrop with banana plants, as they are susceptible to the virus.
  • Use only virus-free planting material while planting new banana crops.
  • Prevent or reduce mechanical injuries and bruising during pruning, harvesting, and transport.
  • Regularly monitoring the crops for signs of disease will help to find and manage the disease early before it spreads.

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Banana Plantation

Conclusion

The Banana Bract Mosaic Disease caused by BBMV is a major threat to banana production and causes significant economic losses globally. It can cause up to 100% yield loss and reduces the quality and market value of bananas. Integrated disease management involving cultural, biological, chemical, and natural control measures is essential to manage the disease.

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Author: Reddy

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