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Use tolerant or resistant varieties e.g. TMBX and SH 3640, FHIA 02, FHIA 03, FHIA 17
Do not move infected plant material into an uninfected area
Use recommended spacing (2.5m apart) to ensure good air circulation which alllows the leaves to dry quickly after rains. Avoid too shade from trees
Ensure good drainage and plant in well drained soils - avoid clay soils
Weed frequently
Monitoring
Monitor the crop closely during wet or humid conditions as these are optimal conditions for the disease to spread
Early symptoms on leaves are small red/brown streaks (1-5mm long by 0.25mm wide) parallel to the veins on the underside of the 3rd or 4th young leaf
As the disease progresses the streaks expand and become noticeable on the leaf surface. Grey lesions develop with sunken centres they have black margins with bright yellow halos
The streaks join together forming bands of dead areas several cm wide and the leaves collapse and die
Take action as soon as the first symptoms are seen
Direct Control
Collect older infected leaves on a regular basis and take them out of the plantation and burn them
Alternatively heap the infected leaves on top of each other with the lower surface of the leaves facing downwards to reduce the spread of the disease
Direct Control
Restrictions
Use personal protective equipment when handling and applying pesticides, follow the label recommendations.
Do not eat, drink, smoke when mixing or applying pesticides.
Not recommended for small holder farmers. Larger scale/commercial banana producers may use the options below:
The FRAC has reported that M. fijiensis has a high risk of developing resistance to fungicides, so careful fungicide management is required
Mancozeb 800g/kg (Dithane M45 WP; Emthane M45; Mancozeb WP; Uthane 800 WP) at a rate of 2.5kg/100L of water (plus 4-5L of light/medium mineral oil) FRAC group: M3
WHO Classification U (Unlikely to present acute hazard in normal use) Spray when disease symptoms appear
