Performance of 5 clones of banana (Musa Aab) against yellow sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola Leach).

摘要

Banana is the most economically important crop in Puerto Rico. According to the 2005-2006 report, 367 988 thousand banana fruits are produced at the farm value of 67.5 million dollars. Pests and diseases limit the production of bananas and plantains, especially diseases caused by yellow Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola) and black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis). This study aims to evaluate the influence of Sigatoka disease on the productivity and fruit quality of 5 banana clones. Results revealed that Maricongo, Super Banana, Dominican Congo Red, Lacknau, and Maiden clones showed similar susceptibility to yellow Sigatoka. Comparing the data on fruit weight with the data obtained in previous studies where the Sigatoka disease was controlled effectively, it is noted that the number of commercial fruits that reached commercial weight decreased, which may be attributable to damage caused by the disease.