Stem end rot of banana
Causal organism: Ceratocystis paradoxa (DADE) Symptoms
- Brown or water soaked patches formed on the rhizome.
- The stalks decay rapidly, the tissues become soft and blackened and have a characteristic sweet smell.
- The fungal pathogen spreads to the fruit where it causes uneven black discoloration of the skin. The pulp is reduced to a dark brown soft wet mass and premature ripening of fruits.
Etiology
- Mycelium is hyaline or light brown, micro conidia are small and cylindrical.
- The conidiophores are slender and septate; macro conidia are produced on short lateral conidiophores; perithecia are light brown, where as ascosoores are ellipsoid.
Mode of spread and survival
- The fungus is both air and soil borne.
Epidemiology
- The black head disease is most commonly found on plants showing abnormally slow growth, particularly during dry weather.
Management
- Eradication of infected plants, planting healthy corms and protecting wounded or injured surfaces are the cultural practices recommended for its control.
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Last modified: Wednesday, 18 January 2012, 6:21 AM