Click here to view the plants kink, bend or fall over symptoms and causes.
Click here to view the plants turn yellow and die symptoms and causes.
Click here to view the small and stunted plants symptoms and causes.
Click here to view the stem shatters symptoms and causes.
Click here to view the internal stem discolouration symptoms and causes.
Click here to view the green leaves dropping symptoms and causes.
Click here to view the leaves bunching at top of plant symptoms and causes.
Cause: Burrowing nematode Radopholus similis feeding on the cells in the root cortex. Many species of nematodes in the soil also parasitise the roots of bananas.
Cause: Choking can be due to a genetic abnormality related to a particular variety or off-type, or from stresses (water-logging, cold, water or nutrient shortage, 2,4-D, banana streak virus and bunchy top). These causes limit the normal elongation of the true stem so that the leaves appear ‘bunched up’.
Biosecurity Alert
Biosecurity Alert
Biosecurity Alert
Biosecurity Alert
Cause: Injection of 2,4-D will kill the plant. Overspray or drift from herbicide application may cause lesser symptoms.
Cause: A genetic abnormality that occurs in tissue-cultured plants.
Cause: The banana streak virus (BSV). Symptom expression is sporadic. Symptoms of cucumber mosaic are similar.
Cause: Frost during the growing season.
Cause: The bacteria Pectobacterium spp. (formerly known as Erwinia spp.) that are common soil inhabitants. Plants that are stressed during the dry season can succumb to invasion during the wet season.
Cause: Not enough oxygen for the roots caused by too much water in the soil from rainfall or irrigation.
Biosecurity Alert
Cause: The fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense which is a soil—borne organism. It is spread in water, soil and planting material. The fungus enters the plant through the roots and blocks the conducting tissue within the plant, resulting in wilting, yellowing of leaves, splitting of pseudostem and death of the plant. There are several “races” of the disease which affect different varieties.
Cause: Glyphosate spray drift onto green parts of the plant. The first symptom is yellowing of leaves.
Cause: Burrowing nematode feeding on roots weakens the plant’s root system.
Solution: Check roots over the whole field to determine if nematodes are the problem and if a nematicide treatment is necessary. Propping or tying string between plants may prevent some losses.
Cause: Tunnelling by larvae of Cosmopolites sordidus in the corm. Sever infestation reduces plant vigour.
Solution: Use stem baits (traps) to establish the severity of the infestation. If numbers exceed an average of four weevils per trap, treat with appropriate insecticide. Pheromone traps are also available.
Cause: Incorrect bunch and tree support.
Solution: Ensure tying or propping is done correctly.
Cause: Extreme heat and or dry conditions.
Solution: Use water scheduling techniques to supply sufficient water to meet the plants’ requirements.