Infestations in tissue culture banana nursery
TISSUE CULTURE banana plantlets are prone to several fungi, bacteria and nematodes during primary and secondary hardening processes at nursery stage.
Therefore high level of care should be taken during nursery stage to exploit the potentialities of tissue culture bananas. Bacterial soft rot caused by Erwinia carotovora is the most serious problem encountered.
Infestation symptoms
The core leaf remains unopened or partially opened, gradually becomes yellow, later turning brown. The affected plants do not produce new leaves, remain stunted and present dehydrated appearance.
To control the disease, the soil in the bag should be drenched at transplanting, two weeks later and 10 days prior to transplanting in the main field with 50 ml of one per cent mercuric chloride or 2 per cent bleaching powder. Spraying streptocyclin sulphate to 3 weeks old plantlets will minimise the disease.
Fungal spots
Many fungal leaf spots may occur as the nursery environment is congenial for the growth of the organism.
One or two sprays with 0.1 per cent Carbendazim or 2.5 per cent Copper oxychloride are essential.
The tissue-cultured plantlets are more susceptible to nematodes like root knot nematode, lesion nematode, burrowing nematode, as the roots are very tender.
It is highly essential to take up nematicidal application from the beginning.
Apply 3g of Carbofuran at planting in the bag, 4th week and a week before taking to field planting.
RAMESH KUMAR
& K. SUBRAMANYAN
Tamil Nadu Precision Farming Project, TNAU
Paiyur Krishnagiri district
& R. SELVARAJ
National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchi
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