ETHIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BANANA BUNCH DRYING OCCURRENCE IN Musa sp. AAB Cv. PRATA IN THE GOIÁS STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine the cause of the drying of the bunch in the “Prata banana” (Musa sp. AAB) and to analyze some of the aspects of its occurrence in the State of Goiás. The disease drastically affects production, and occurs more severely during the rainy season (October to April) , going so far as to affect almost all of the bunches in certain regions. Based on the results obtained in isolation, under aseptic conditions, and using Koch’s postulate, the primary cause of the disease was determined to be the fungus Gloesporium musarum Cooke & Massee, which acts under predisposing climatic conditions. It was suggested that clonal characteristics, climatic conditions, and the potential of available innoculum were the principal factors involved in the spread of the disease in certain regions.