Plantain (Musa Specie) is a tropical crop widely grown in Nigeria. It is usually grow in the rain forest region of Nigeria because it is a water hungry crop.
Plantain is affected by a lot of diseases and crops. Some of the diseases and pests of plantain are Anthracnose, Black Sigatoka disease, Rhizome Rot, Fusarium Wilt, Beetles, Aphids, Moko disease, banana weevil and Coconut Scale etc.
Diseases and Pests of Plantain
The following are the pests and diseases of plantain:
Anthracnose
This disease is caused by a fungus called Colletotrichum Musae. This disease presents as large brown spots on leaves, stems and fruits of the plantain crop.
Good fungicides like Cabrio Duo, Redforce fungicide and Five Star fungicide can be used to manage this disease.
Black Sigatoka
This is also a fungal disease that is common in plantain crop. It is caused by a fungus called Mycosphaerella Fijiensis. This disease presents as red or brown spots on the underside and topside of plantain leaves.
This disease can cause the death of plantain leaves and can also stop the growth of plantain bunches. It can be managed with the use of good fungicides.
Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium Wilt also known as the Panama Disease is a fungal disease that causes the splitting and yellowing of plantain leaves. This disease can lead to the defoliation of all the leaves on the plantain plant.
Fusarium wilt is spread by flowing water in the soil. It can be managed with the use of fungicides and the implementation of good cultural practices.
Rhizome Rot
Rhizome Rot is a bacterial disease caused by Erwinia Carotovora. This disease stops the germination of the rhizome. It also causes yellowing of the internal tissues of the plantain plant.
This disease is spread through wounds on the plantain plant. It can be managed with the use of bactericides like Red Force.
Moko Disease (Bacterial Wilt)
This is also called bacterial wilt. It is caused by a bacterium called Ralstonia Solanacearum. This disease causes the wilting of the plantain plant. This will eventually lead to the death of the plantain plant.
This disease is spread from the root of the plant. The bacteria can also enter the plantain plant through wounds and insects.
Banana Bunchy Top Virus
This disease presents as yellowing of the margins of the plantain leaves. The plantain leaves appear as rough, tough to touch and upright.
The destruction of the leaves leads to poor photosynthesis, this eventually leads to stunted growth of the plantain plants and poor yield.
This disease is transmitted by aphids.
Banana Aphids
Banana Aphids known as Pentalonia Nigronervosa damages plantain leaves by making the leaves look tough and deformed. The destruction of the plantain leaves by aphids also causes yellowing of the plantain leaves.
Aphids can transmit viral diseases like the Banana Bunchy Top Viral disease to plantain plants. This disease can lead to the death of the plantain plants.
Insecticides can be used to destroy the breeding ground of the aphids.
Other diseases and pests that affect plantains are:
- Banana Weevil
- Beetles
- Aphids
- Nematodes
- Bugtok
- Blood Disease
- Vascular Wilt
- Finger Tip Rot
- Black Root Rot
- Corm Dry Rot
- Crown Rot
- Eyespot
- Fruit Rot etc
Do you engage in plantain farming and have issues with pests and diseases? If yes, why not contact us today.
Reference: Plant Village