Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Worldwide distribution. Several fungi involved. Minor diseases.
• Small spots or streaks at first, later joining together forming light brown, diffuse, irregular patches up to 5 cm diameter on the leaves, and fruit and fruit stalks; usually more obvious on undersurfaces. Reddish-brown to black spots on fruits, with more at the flower end.
• Spores formed on underside of leaves and spread by wind and rain.
• Cultural control: remove dead leaves from plantation; remove shade and weeds; desucker plants to aid air movement and drying of leaves; promote healthy growth with fertilizer and/or manures; mulch, but not with old banana leaves.
• Chemical control: unlikely to be needed. Fungicides for banana black Sigatoka likely to control this disease (see Fact Sheet no. 02).