ABSTRACT
Effect of foliar substrates on Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet) in banana (Musa ×| paradisiaca L.) and plantain (Musa acuminata Colla)

Luis Fernando Patiño H.1*, Elkin Bustamante R.2, Lina María Salazar P.3
 

The Black Sigatoka caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet, is the most destructive foliar disease in the banana (Musa × paradisiaca L.) and plantain (Musa acuminata Colla) production around the world. Chemical fungicides are the main control tactics; however, fungicide resistance had increased control costs, besides environmental contamination and consumers demands for a fruit free of pesticide residues. The enhancement of populations of native bacteria through selective substrates, with lytic activity on M. fijiensis, looks as a management alternative. Application of two foliar substrates, that had a mineral solution plus urea, barley flour and colloidal chitin known to built-up biocontrol bacteria, allowed to decrease fungicide applications in from 43 to 46%, when sprayed in rotation with conventional fungicides.

Keywords: Mycosphaerella fijiensis, chitinolytic bacteria, glucanolytic bacteria, colloidal chitin, barley flour, biological control.
1 Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid, Carrera 48 Nº 7, Medellín, Colombia. E-mail: luisferph@gmail.com *Autor para correspondencia.
2 Consultor Internacional en Manejo Integrado de Plagas. E-mail: elkinbustamante@hotmail.com.
3 Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical-CES, Carrera 48 Nº 32-102, Medellín, Colombia. E-mail: lmsalazar@ces.edu.co.