Horticulture

Banana Bunchy Top Disease Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

Table of Contents [show]

The Banana Bunchy Top Disease caused by the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) is a viral disease affecting banana plants worldwide. The economic impact of Banana Bunchy Top Disease is significant, as it reduces fruit yield, quality, and marketability and can result in the complete loss of yield. BBTV is a highly infectious virus that can rapidly spread from infected plants to healthy ones, either through vegetative propagation or by insect vectors.

Banana Bunchy Top Disease Management

Efforts to prevent the spread of BBTD include strict quarantine measures and the use of disease-free planting materials. To effectively manage this disease, it is important 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 Bunchy Top Virus Disease in Banana crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.

Banana Bunchy Top Disease Management

The Causal Organism of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • BBTV is a single-stranded circular DNA virus that belongs to the Family Nanoviridae of Order Mulpavirales of the Phylum Cressdnaviricota.
  • The replication of BBTV occurs in the cytoplasm of infected plant cells.
  • BBTV is transmitted through infected planting material, contaminated tools, vegetative propagation, and insects like banana aphids (Pentalonia nigronervosa).

The Disease Cycle of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • The disease cycle of the Banana Bunchy Top Disease caused by BBTV is complex and involves multiple stages. The virus is transmitted through vegetative propagation and by banana aphids (Pentalonia nigronervosa).
  • The banana aphid feeds on the sap of an infected plant, which contains the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV). The virus replicates inside the insect vector and moves to the insect’s salivary glands. The infected aphid feeds on a healthy banana plant, and the virus is transmitted to the new plant through the insect’s saliva. The virus can also be transmitted through infected planting materials or contaminated tools.
  • Once the virus is introduced into the new plant, it replicates within its cells, primarily in the phloem tissues. The virus uses the host plant’s machinery to produce new virus particles. Infected plants continue to produce virus particles, which can be transmitted to nearby plants through insect vectors or vegetative propagation.
  • The disease can spread quickly in areas with a high concentration of banana plants. In some cases, infected plants may recover from the disease and become symptomless virus carriers. However, these plants can still serve as a source of infection for nearby healthy plants.

Occurrence of Banana Bunchy Top Disease in Banana Crop

  • Location of Banana Bunchy Top 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 BBTV are Bananas and Plantains.

Favorable Conditions for Banana Bunchy Top Disease Spread in the Field

  • Hot and damp weather with optimal temperatures ranging from 25 to 30°C and high rainfalls will cause the disease to occur.
  • Weeds can host the banana aphid, providing a refuge for the insect when banana crops are absent.
  • The virus can be primarily transmitted through infected planting material, including suckers and corms, and secondarily by aphids. This can lead to the rapid spread of the virus to new areas.
  • 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 virus can infect banana plants at any growth stage, but dwarf banana varieties and young plants are most susceptible.

In case you missed it: Banana Leaf Feeder Pest Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

Banana Plant

Damage Symptoms of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • The symptoms are caused by the destruction of phloem tissues in the plant, which disrupts the movement of nutrients and water through the plant, causing the characteristic “bunchy top” symptom, where the leaves at the top of the plant become distorted and clustered together.
  • The leaves exhibit greenish streaks and a J-hook shape at the midrib.
  • The flowers show mottling and discoloration symptoms.
  • Other symptoms include marginal chlorosis, small petioles, yellowing, and curling of leaves.
  • In severe cases, the infected plant may stop producing fruit, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers and the banana industry.

Percentage of Yield Loss Due to Banana Bunchy Top Disease in Banana Crop

  • The disease can cause 100% yield losses in the United States. In Mexico, yield losses are 50%. In India, the yield losses are 100%. In Bangladesh, the losses are 50%. In Sri Lanka, the losses are 80%. In China, a 30-90% yield loss is seen. In Africa, yield losses are up to 50%.
  • In Indonesia, it is 80%. In Vietnam, it is 50%. In Ecuador, it is 100%. In Peru, it is 30%. In the Philippines, it is 80%. In Malaysia, it is 30-70%. In Colombia, it is 30-90%. In Thailand, it is 30-80%. In Brazil, it is 100%. In Australia, the losses are 100%. The Economic Threshold Level is determined at 5-10% disease incidence.

Cultural Control Measures of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • Avoid planting bananas where the disease has been previously reported, or other infected plants are present.
  • Promptly rouging out the infected plants and burning or burying them can prevent the virus from spreading to healthy plants.
  • Prevent or reduce mechanical injuries and bruising during pruning, harvesting, and transport.
  • Regular Pruning and proper sanitation practices, such as the disinfection of tools and equipment used in the plantation, can help prevent the spread of BBTD.

Biological Control Measures of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • Parasitic wasps, such as the Aprostocetus sp. and Pentalitomastix spp., can be used to lay their eggs inside the aphids, which ultimately kills them and control the population of the BBTD vector, the banana aphid.
  • Predatory mites, such as Neoseiulus idaeus and Amblyseius cucumeris, feed on the aphids, reducing their population and limiting their ability to spread the BBTD virus.
  • Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, can infect and kill aphids.

Chemical Control Measures of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • Spray Metasystox, Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Acetamiprid, Methyl Demeton, Phosphomidon, Rogar, or Monocrotophos on the leaves of the plants to control the aphid insect vectors that transmit this virus.
  • To kill the affected banana plants, apply kerosene or herbicides like Glyphosate, 2,4-D, or 2,4,5-T.
  • Injection – Inject the pseudostem with Fernoxone or Monocrotophos to control the disease.
  • Plant Growth Regulators – PGRs, such as Paclobutrazol and Chlormequat chloride, can be used to manage the growth of banana plants.

Organic Control Measures of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • Biological fertilizers, such as vermicompost, can improve soil health and stimulate the growth of banana plants, making them more resistant to BBTD.
  • Biopesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Spinosad, can control aphid populations in banana plantations.

Preventive Measures for Control of Banana Bunchy Top Disease

  • Use only virus-free planting material while planting new banana crops.
  • Adequate spacing between plants can help improve air circulation, reduce humidity, and minimize the spread of BBTD.
  • Regularly monitoring the crops for signs of disease will help to find and manage the disease early before it spreads.

In case you missed it: Banana Anthracnose Disease Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

Bananas Growing on the Tree

Conclusion

The Banana Bunchy Top Disease caused by BBTV is a serious viral disease and a major threat to banana production and causes significant economic losses globally. It can cause a complete loss of yield and reduces the quality and market price of bananas. Implementing preventive, biological, and chemical control measures can help manage BBTD effectively and promote sustainable banana production.

Last Updated:
Author: Reddy

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here