HS 10

The Banana in Florida1

Jonathan H. Crane and Carlos F. Balerdi2

Scientific name: Musa acuminata and Musa bananas. The groups differ in whether the male parts
balbisiana of the inflorescence are persistent or absent.
Common names for banana: English - banana,
plantain; Spanish - banano, platano, guineo, cambur History and Distribution
Common names for plantain: English - plantain,
horse banana; Spanish - platano The banana and plantain are native to southeast
Family: Musaceae Asia, where they have been cultivated for thousands of
Relatives of banana within the Order Zingiberales: years. Bananas are believed to have been introduced
Numerous ornamental plants including traveler’s tree, to Africa in prehistoric times. Recent evidence
bird-of-paradise, heliconia, and ginger. suggests bananas were introduced into the New World
(Ecuador) by southeast Asians around 200 B.C., and
Introduction more recently by Portuguese and Spanish explorers in
the early 16th century. The Portuguese introduced
Bananas are vigorously growing, bananas into the Canary Islands and the Spanish to the
monocotyledonous herbaceous plants. There are two Island of Hispaniola during the 1500s.
species of banana, Musa acuminata and M.
balbisiana, and most banana cultivars are hybrids of Susceptibility to frost keeps the banana from
these species. Banana cultivars vary greatly in plant spreading beyond the tropics and the warm subtropics.
and fruit size, plant morphology, fruit quality, and However, bananas are grown commercially in a
disease and insect resistance. Most bananas have a number of subtropical areas such as Australia,
sweet flavor when ripe; exceptions to this are cooking Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, the Canary
bananas and plantains. Islands, and south Florida. In some areas, bananas are
grown inside plastic or glass covered structures.
Plantains are hybrid bananas in which the male
flowering axis is either degenerated, lacking, or Plantains are an important food source in parts of
possesses relicts of male flowers. Plantains are always Africa, southern India, and throughout tropical
cooked before consumption and are higher in starch America. This is because of the ease and stability of
than bananas. The two groups of plantains, French production and the highly nutritious nature of the fruit.
and Horn, produce fewer fruit per plant than sweet

1. This document is HS-10, one of a series of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida. First printed 1972 as FC-10. Revised January 1998. Please visit the FAIRS Website at http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu
2. Jonathan H. Crane, Associate professor, Tropical Fruit Crops Specialist, Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, Florida, and Carlos F. Balerdi,
Multi-county Tropical Fruit Crops Extension Agent III, Tropical Fruit, Dade County Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national
origin. For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative
Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean
The Banana in Florida Page 2

Bananas have been grown in scattered locations pseudostem 10 to 15 months after planting; by this
throughout Florida since their introduction during the time 26 to 32 leaves have been produced. The process
16th century. Limited commercial production has of banana flowering is called shooting. The flowers
occurred since the late 1800s. Florida is considered a appear spirally along the axis of the inflorescence in
climatically marginal area for commercial banana groups of 10 to 20, covered by purplish-to-greenish
production due to our subtropical climate and fleshy bracts which shed as flowering development
occasional freezes. However, small scale commercial progresses. The first flowers to emerge are
production does occur in southern Florida and functionally female. In the edible cultivars, the rapidly
producers supply local and regional markets. growing ovaries develop parthenocarpically (without
pollination) into clusters of fruits, called "hands."
Uses Although most banana cultivars produce seedless fruit,
some are fertile and can set seed. The last flowers to
Bananas are eaten fresh and used in salads, emerge are functionally male. In plantains, the male
desserts, breads, and candy. Bananas are a good part of the inflorescence and/or male flowers may be
source of ascorbic acid (Vit. C), Vitamin B6, and absent or greatly reduced. The time from shooting to
potassium. Plantains are cooked before use and may fruit harvest depends upon temperature, cultivar, soil
be baked, fried, or grilled. Plantains have similar moisture, and cultural practices and ranges from 80 to
nutritive value as fresh eating bananas plus Vitamin A, 180 days.
and are an excellent source of carbohydrate (starch).
Environmental Factors
Plant Description
Temperature: Bananas flourish under uniformly
Whole plant: The banana is a fast-growing plant warm to hot conditions. Shoot growth is best between
consisting of one or more pseudostems (upright, trunk- 78oF to 82oF (26-28oC) and fruit growth at 84oF to
like structures) formed by tightly packed concentric 86oF (29-30oC). Plant growth slows below 60oF
layers of leaf sheaths, an underground rhizome, and a (16oC) and stops at 50oF (10oC). Symptoms of
fibrous root system. The entire plant is called a mat. chilling injury (temperatures below 60oF/16oC but
The pseudostem constitutes the functional trunk which above 32oF/0oC) include failure of the flowering stalk
supports the leaves and the flower and fruit bearing or fruit bunch to emerge from the pseudostem (called
stalk. choking), development of a dull yellow or greenish-
gray color to ripening fruit, distorted fruit shape, and
Rhizome: A rhizome is an underground stem with an increase in fruit rotting.
numerous meristems (growing points) from which the
pseudostems, flowering and fruiting stalks, and fibrous Chilling damage and irreversible freeze damage
roots arise. may occur at or below 32oF (0oC). Symptoms of
freeze damage include a water-soaked appearance to
Sheath and leaves: The banana leaf consists of a all above ground parts of the banana plant and
long, tube-like structure called a sheath, a stout petiole desiccation, browning, and death of leaves,
(leaf stalk), and a lamina or leaf blade. The tight pseudostems, and fruit. Temperatures below 28oF (-
packing of numerous sheaths form the pseudostem. 7oC) may kill plants to the ground. However, new
One pseudostem may have over 40 leaves during its growth usually sprouts from the underground rhizome
lifetime. with the return of warm weather.

Roots: Numerous (200-500) fibrous roots arise Temperatures at or above 98oF (37oC) may result
from the rhizome. In well drained, deep, fertile soils, in leaf scorch and emerging new leaves may have very
roots may extend 5 ft (1.5 m) deep and 16 ft (4.9 m) narrow blades.
laterally.
Wind: Wind is a common constraint in
Flowers and fruit: The banana inflorescence subtropical production areas. Winds above 25 mph
(flowering stalk) emerges from the center of the and 45 mph may cause tall and short banana cultivars

February 1998
The Banana in Florida Page 3

(respectively) to topple. In addition, continuously The most important factor is soil drainage. In those
windy weather may cause severe leaf shredding (mild areas susceptible to wet or flooded soil conditions,
shredding may be beneficial), drying of the leaves, and sufficiently high beds should be constructed and
plant crown distortion. proper engineering (sloping) of the land for water
drainage should be done. The beds will place most of
Drought and flooding: Temperature and soil the root system above the saturated soil layer and
moisture are the most important factors in banana proper sloping of the ditches between beds should
production. Lack of water at anytime may cause a allow for drainage of excessive water off the land.
reduction in fruit number and size and ultimate crop
yield. Banana cultivars with Musa balbisiana genes Propagation
tend to be more drought tolerant than cultivars of
Musa acuminata. Symptoms of drought stress include The most common propagation material is
folding of the leaves, pale green to yellow leaf color suckers, or pieces of the rhizome. There are 3 types of
development, and premature leaf death. Severe suckers: maidenhead, a large non-fruiting pseudostem
drought stress may cause choking and pseudostem (plus roots and some rhizome); sword sucker, a sucker
collapse. attached to the original (mother) rhizome with narrow
sword-like leaves, and; a water sucker, a sucker next
Banana plants are not flood tolerant. In general, to but only superficially attached to the mother
plants may survive 24 to 48 hours of flooding caused rhizome with broad leaves. Water suckers produce
by moving water. Stagnant water kills plants quickly. inferior fruit and are therefore not recommended.
Bananas should not be planted in flood-prone areas. Large sword suckers and maidenheads are the
In areas where the water table is high and/or frequent preferred planting material. Sword suckers should be
soil saturation or very brief flooding occurs, planting removed from vigorous clumps with a spade when
on beds is recommended. Symptoms of continuously they are 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5m) tall. The largest leaves are
wet but not flooded soil conditions include plant cut off, leaving only the youngest or none at all.
stunting, leaf yellowing, and reduced yields. Suckers should have many healthy roots, without
symptoms, such as nodulations and internal lesions, of
Shade: Banana plants are reported to be nematode or borer damage. The pseudostems of
moderately shade tolerant (up to 50%). However, maidenhead suckers are cut down to 8 inches (20 cm)
shading delays plant and fruit growth and high and the remaining rhizome is cut into “seed”
development. In more subtropical areas like Florida, pieces for planting. In the event that healthy
full or near-full sun is recommended for best propagating material is not available, the sucker is cut
production. Excessively shaded plants are stunted and off and its rhizome is pared of all damaged roots and
produce small, poor quality fruit. dark tissue, or is cut into pieces containing only white,
healthy tissue and a few buds. If nematodes are a
Salinity: Banana plants do not grow or fruit well problem in the area, it is strongly recommended that
in saline soils. Symptoms of salt damage include nematode-free or hot water treated (described under
yellowing and death of the leaf margins and thin, nematodes) propagating material be used.
deformed fruit.
Bananas have recently begun to be commercially
Altitude: Depending upon the local climate, propagated from meristems by tissue culture. The
bananas may be grown from sea level to 6,562 ft advantage of this system is that plants are uniform and
(2,000 m). free of nematodes and most diseases. The
Soils disadvantage is the time it takes for small plants to be
grown to a sufficient size for field planting and their
Bananas do best on flat (slope 0-1%), well lack of availability. Another tissue culture technique
drained, deep soils high in organic matter with a pH of which uses somatic embryos has not been entirely
5.5-7.0. However, many cultivars perform successful because of the production of off-type
satisfactorily on the sandy, loamy, muck, and plants.
calcareous marl and rocky soils found in south Florida.

February 1998
The Banana in Florida Page 4

In south Florida, March, April and May are the In general, the Cavendish group (AAA) is
best months for planting if irrigation is available. resistant to Panama disease, but is susceptible to
Otherwise planting should be delayed until the onset Sigatoka. The characteristic that distinguishes the best
of the rains in June. Planting holes should be large (3 known clones is the height of the pseudostem. The
ft wide by 2 ft deep; 0.9 m x 0.6 m) if possible. tallest clone is ‘Lacatan’ followed by ‘Robusta’ and
Addition and mixing with the native soil of completely ‘Giant Cavendish,’ ‘Grand Nain,’ and ‘Dwarf
composted organic matter or a sand-peat moss mixture Cavendish.’ ‘Valery,’ a common type in Central
may be desirable. Plants should be watered-in America, is considered the same as ‘Robusta’ by some
thoroughly, and a heavy layer of mulch placed around taxonomists.
the suckers immediately after planting will assist in
keeping the soil moist and will suppress weeds. ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ produces large bunches of
medium-sized fruit. It is widely planted and better
Cultivars adapted to the cool climate of the subtropics than most
other commercial cultivars. ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ is
There are many banana cultivars. Parents of the recommended for south Florida where, in frost-free
cultivated types are Musa acuminata and Musa years and with good care, it produces abundant fruit.
balbisiana, two wild species which are usually seedy. Another with reported tolerance to cool subtropical
Banana cultivars are complex diploid, triploid, and areas is ‘Williams’ (also called ‘Williams Hybrid’).
tetraploid hybrids among M. acuminata and M.
balbisiana. In general, those with a high proportion of There are many cultivars named ‘Lady s Finger.’
M. acuminata produce sweet fruit, whereas those with The most common ‘Lady s Finger’ in south Florida is
a high proportion of M. balbisiana produce starchy an AAB, also called ‘Pome,’ ‘Brazilian,’ and ‘Prata.’
fruit. It is a tall-growing clone tolerant to cool conditions
with small, sweet fruit. However, because of its
Conventionally, the relative contribution of M. susceptibility to wind damage and Panama disease it is
acuminata and M. balbisiana to the cultivar is not recommended for commercial planting.
indicated with As and Bs, respectively. They are
further classified as to the presence of one or more sets There are numerous common cultivars named
of chromosomes (called ploidy level). For example, ‘Apple.’ The most common ‘Apple’ in south Florida
an AB is diploid, an AAB, triploid, and ABBB, is an AAB. It is also called ‘Silk,’ ‘Manzana,’ and
tetraploid. Triploid cultivars are the most common, ‘Manzano.’ It is a dessert-type banana with a pleasant,
diploids somewhat less common, and tetraploids, sub-acid flavor when fully ripe. It is very common in
uncommon. the Caribbean. The plant is medium-sized and
susceptible to Sigatoka and Panama disease. It is
There are numerous banana and plantain cultivars recommended for home landscape and commercial
listed in Table 1. However, many of them are not planting in Panama disease-free sites with disease-free
adapted to Florida’s climate and are not readily planting material.
available. Cultivars have many local names making
identification of specific clones difficult by common ‘Hua moa’ (AAB) also called ‘Hawaiano’ is a
name. To help avoid this, common names along with leading cultivar in south Florida despite its
their A/B constitution and ploidy level are used. susceptibility to Panama disease and poor cold
tolerance. The fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked and
Comments on Selected is reported to make excellent fried green and smashed
Banana Cultivars in Florida bananas. ‘Hua moa’ requires intensive care and is
recommended only for planting with disease-free
‘Gros Michel’ (AAA) does not produce well in material in warm, protected sites free of Panama
Florida. It has poor cold tolerance and is susceptible disease.
to Panama disease. It is not recommended for planting
in the home landscape or commercially.

February 1998
 The Banana in Florida Page 5

Table 1. Selected banana cultivars that may be available in south Florida.

Ploidy Pan. Recom.

Species Subgroup Group Selected cultivars and synonyms4 T1
Level Susc.2 Use3

--- Diploid AA Nino, Lady’s Finger5, Sucrier5, Honey5, Datil5, Bocadillo5, P R N

Pisang mas5

--- AAA Gros Michel, Pisang ambon5, Guineo gigante5, Banano5, P S N

Platano roatan5

Cavendish AAA Dwarf Cavendish, Dwarf Chinese5, Pisang serendah5, F R H, C

Governor5, Enano5, Johnson5
M.
acuminata Cavendish AAA Dwarf Red, Green Red F R H, C
Cavendish Triploid AAA Giant Cavendish, Giant Chinese, Mons mari, Williams, F-G R H, C?
Williams Hybrid5, Pisang buai, Robusta, Valery, Porto
Rique

Cavendish AAA Grand Nain, Umalog F R H, C

Cavendish AAA Red, Cuban Red5, Red Jamaican5 F R H, C
Cavendish AAA Lacatan, Pisang masak hijau5, Monte Cristo5, Giant Fig5 F R H
--- Diploid AB Ney poovan, Lady s Finger5, Apple5, Farine France5 ? R H

--- AAB Pisang raja, Grindy5 F R H

5 5 5
--- AAB Mysore, Pisang keling , Poovan , Thousand Grain G R H

--- AAB Apple, Silk5, Pisang rastali5, Manzana5, Maçã5, Sugar5, F S H, C

Manzano5

--- AAB Lady s Finger, Pome5, Pisang kelat jambi5, Brazilian5, G S H

Prata5
M.
--- AAB Hua moa6, Hawaiano5 P S H
acuminata
x M. Plantain/ AAB 5
Green French, Banane creole , Pink French, Wine, F-P R H
balbisiana French Triploid Banae rouge5, Black French, Banae noire5, Tiger,
hybrids Types Banae Puce5, Giant, Banae cent livres5

Plantain/ AAB Horse plantain, Banane corne, Dominico Gigante, P R H

Horn types Pisang tandok, Common plantain

--- ABB Bluggoe6, Burro5, Chato5, Moko5, Orinoco5, F-G S H, C?

Horse banana5

--- ABB Pisang awak6, Kluai nam wa5, Pisang abu keling6, F-G S H
Largo6 , Apple Plantain6, Ice cream6, Blue java5

--- ABB Pelipita6, Saba6, Cardaba6 ? R H

1
Cold tolerance temperature rating: G, good cold tolerance; F, fair cold tolerance; P, poor cold tolerance; ?, not known.
2
Panama disease rating for south Florida: R, resistant; S, susceptible - recommend planting only in Panama disease-free soil with
disease-free material.
3
Recommended use: H, home landscape; C, commercial; C?, may have commercial possibilities for Florida; N, not recommended.
4
Common name used locally is underlined.
5
Another common name for the highlighted cultivar name preceeding it.
6
Cooking banana.

February 1998
The Banana in Florida Page 6

kg) of P2O5, and 180 lbs to 400 lbs (82-181 kg) per
Spacing acre of K2O are recommended per year.
In Florida, at least one nutritional spray containing
Planting distance for ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ in home manganese and zinc is recommended annually.
gardens should not be less than 8 ft (2.4 m) between Commercial sources of these elements should be used;
plants. With judicious irrigation, fertilization, timely follow label directions. Copper should be included in
weeding and pruning, and the use of large healthy the spray if no copper-containing fungicide is used.
suckers for planting material, fruits will mature in 10-
18 months after planting. Rhizomes usually take Leaf analysis is useful as a guide to fertilizer
longer to produce fruit and the first bunch is, as a rule, needs. Leaf nutritional levels have not been
smaller than normal. determined under south Florida conditions, however,
levels reported from other production areas may serve
Commercially, plant spacings of 8 ft x 8 ft (2.4 m as a useful guide. The third leaf from the top of the
x 2.4 m) to 11 ft x 11 ft (3.4 m x 3.4 m) result in 360 pseudostem of recently flowering (shot) plants is
to 680 plants per acre (865-1736 plants per ha), usually sampled for analysis. The recommended leaf
respectively. The closer spacings result in higher nutrient content for bananas is shown in Table 2.
yields and less weeds, but usually also result in
slightly less hands per bunch, moderate to much Irrigation
reduced bunch weight and a slight delay in time to Bananas require large amounts of water and are
bloom. The grower must make a decision based on very sensitive to drought. Drought results in increased
market needs, availability and price of land and plant time to flowering and fruiting, reduced fruit size, fruit
material, spraying and harvesting equipment, irrigation number, and crop yields. Bananas need about 4 to 6
method, and fertilizer program. For equipment inches (102-152 mm) of water per month for normal
operation, it is better to have a rectangular rather than growth and production. High volume sprinklers and
square planting pattern, e.g., 8 ft x 12 ft (2.4 m x 3.7 low volume microsprinkers and drip systems may be
m) rather than a 10 x 10 ft (3.0 x 3.0 m) spacing. used. Run properly, low volume systems are more
efficient than high volume systems.
Fertilization
Banana plants need fertile conditions and an Since an adequate soil moisture is essential for
abundance of soil moisture for best growth and good production, particularly during the dry months of
production. The type of development the plant makes the year, provision should be made for irrigation.
in the first 3 to 4 months determines the weight of the However, caution should be exercised against over-
bunch and the number of hands. Consequently, it is irrigation. Bananas are extremely susceptible to
essential to provide the best of care during this period. damage by flooding, continuously wet soils, and soil
with inadequate drainage.
In soils with low fertility, such as the sandy and
calcareous soils of south Florida, bananas should be
fertilized frequently (4 to 6 times) for maximum Cultivation
production. The potash requirement is high and The most important time to control weeds is from
fertilizers with a high K2O content should be used, planting until a full, enclosed canopy has been
e.g., N-P2O5-K2O in a ratio of 3-1-6. The amount of established. More weeds will be present while the
fertilizer depends on size and age of the stalk and on planting is young because of light penetration. As the
the number of stalks per clump. grove gets older, weed pressure will decrease. Keep
the area between trees in the row weed free at all
Young plants should be started with 1/2 lb (0.23 times. Mechanical as well as chemical means of weed
kg) of a 6-2-12 or similar formula with 2-3% control are available. For newly established plantings,
magnesium applied every 2 months, and increasing plastic or organic mulch will greatly reduce weeds
gradually to 5.0 lb to 6.0 lb (2.3-2.7 kg) at flowering within rows and reduce the need for chemical weed
and fruiting time, 10 to 18 months later. For mature control. However, plastic mulch may have to be
plantings, a range of 100 lbs to 300 lbs per acre (45- removed to facilitate the emergence of new suckers
136 kg) of nitrogen, 35 lbs to 130 lbs per acre (16-59 from the underground rhizome.

February 1998
The Banana in Florida Page 7

Table 2. Recommended critical nutrient levels using the third leaf as sample leaf.

Nutrient Percent dry weight (range) Nutrient Part per million (range)

Niitrogen 2.4 - 3.0 Manganese 25 - 150

Phosphorus 0.25 - 0.24 Zinc 15 - 18

Potassium 2.7 - 3.5 Iron 60 - 80

Calcium 0.4 - 1.0 Copper 5 -9

Magnesium 0.20 - 0.36 Boron 11

Pruning Harvesting
Pruning the banana mat is necessary for best Yields vary considerably depending on many
vegetative growth and fruit production. Allowing factors, but 3 to 7 tons per acre (6.7-15.7 tons/ha) per
numerous pseudostems to grow from a single mat may year may be obtained. Yields above 10 tons per acre
lead to small bunches of low quality fruit and (22.4 tons/ha) per year are considered good. In
encourage disease development. Florida, a banana grove lasts 2 or 3 years, after which
fields are replanted. Factors such as weather, pests
A banana pseudostem produces fruit only once. and diseases, and cultural practices affect the life of a
After harvest, the stalk is cut off at the base and banana planting.
chopped into small pieces which are left on the ground
and incorporated in as mulch. New pseudostems Bunches are harvested when the fingers are plump
(follow-up stalks) which have been allowed to grow but before they begin to turn yellow. The harvesting
from the rhizome (also called a mat) will produce the and ripening process for large-scale banana production
next crop. For best production, there must be ample is probably not economically justified for small-farm
space between plants to avoid crowding and production and will not be discussed here in detail.
competition for water, light and nutrients. Homeowners may want to harvest fruit 7 to 14 days
prior to ripening on the plant. Hanging the fruit in a
The number of pseudostems and their replacement shady, cool place to ripen seems to allow development
is controlled by cutting off new suckers as soon as of better flavor than if allowed to ripen on the plant.
they appear. A good practice consists of having only
one pseudostem flowering and fruiting, one Commercially, recently harvested bananas should
pseudostem about half grown, and one small sucker be precooled by forced-air or placed in a cool room at
per mat. Cutting unwanted suckers off at ground level temperatures between 55-58oF (13-14oC) and relative
and then gouging out as much as possible of what humidity at 90-95%. Temperatures below 55o F (13o C)
remains with a metal digging bar will kill the cause chilling injury.
underground bud. It is important that the internal bud
is killed, otherwise regrowth occurs very quickly and it The optimum temperature for ripening bananas
takes an unnecessary amount of labor to keep suckers under commercial conditions is 62-68o F (18-20o C).
from growing. Though labor intensive, the cutting of Ethylene helps initiate and stimulate ripening.
dead leaves and of leaves that rub against the bunch is Commercially, special storage rooms equipped with
recommended. Removing the end of the flowering ethylene gas generators are used to control the
stalk which has no fruit and hangs below the last hand ripening process. For homeowners, ripening can be
of bananas may speed fruit development. hastened by covering the bunch with a polyethylene
bag.

February 1998
The Banana in Florida Page 8

Disease, Insect, and Nematode Banana borer or weevil (Cosmopolites

Problems sordidus). The banana borer lays eggs at the base of
the pseudostem and the larvae bore into the
There are several major diseases, one major insect, pseudostems and rhizome causing extensive damage.
and several nematode species which attack bananas in Young plants may be killed by extensive tunneling
south Florida. and mature plants may weaken and topple with a
subsequent reduction in yield. Control of the pest
Panama disease (Fusarium wilt). Panama includes use of clean (non-infested) planting material
disease is of worldwide importance and is caused by and sanitation (removal and/or grinding up old
the soil borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pseudostems). For more information, please contact
cubense. There are four known races of the disease, your local Cooperative Extension Agent.
three of which attack one or more banana cultivars.
Symptoms of the disease do not appear on young Sugar cane weevil (Metamasius hemipterus).
suckers. On mature plants symptoms include The sugar cane weevil causes similar damage and
progressive yellowing and eventual death from older problems as the banana weevil. The larvae tunnel into
to younger leaves, so that only the youngest emerging the pseudostem, building galleries that weaken the
leaf may remain; brown and black discoloration and plant. For more information, please contact your local
slimy appearance of the water conducting vascular Cooperative Extension Agent.
system (it may give off a bad odor as well); and death
of the plant. At present there is no chemical control Burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis) and
available. The only effective control measures are spiral nematode (Helicotylenchus multicinctus).
planting in land not infested with the fungus, the use Feeding of the burrowing nematode causes extensive
of disease-free propagation material, and the planting damage to the root system and rhizome of banana.
of cultivars with resistance to the disease (Table 1). The spiral nematode causes extensive damage to the
Plantains are resistant to the fungus. fibrous root system. Injured plants are susceptible to
invasion by pathogens and toppling. The use of non-
Sigatoka (Yellow Sigatoka). Sigatoka is an infested plant material (suckers or rhizomes) is the
important leaf disease in Florida. It is caused by the best control. Disinfestation of the suckers to be used
fungus Mycosphaerella musicola. Symptoms of for planting should be made at a site away from the
Sigatoka begin as minute yellow streaks on the lower planting to prevent infestation by contaminated soil or
leaf surface which enlarge into dark brown to black plant debris. Suckers to be used for establishing a new
streaks 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) long. As the streaks planting should first be thoroughly washed and pared
merge they form irregularly shaped spots surrounded of roots and any damaged areas of the rhizome. The
by a yellow halo. Warm temperatures, high humidity, sucker should then be heat treated by immersion in a
and frequent rainfall are ideal for disease hot water bath at 122-129oF (50-54oC) for 10 minutes.
development. Sigatoka does not kill the plant but Establishing a planting in virgin land and the use of
causes premature defoliation which results in reduced nematicides are additional control tactics. For more
crop yield. Black Sigatoka, caused by M. fijiensis, information, please contact your local Cooperative
produces similar, but more severe symptoms. It is Extension Agent.
widespread in tropical America, but is currently not
found in Florida.

Banana cultivars differ in their susceptibility to

Yellow Sigatoka with the Cavendish group (AAA)
and ‘Pome’ (AAB) bananas being highly susceptible.
‘Sucrier’ (AA), ‘Bluggoe’ (ABB), and ‘Silk’ (AAB)
are of intermediate susceptibility, while ‘Mysore’ is
only slightly susceptible. Fungicides are available for
control. For more information, please contact your
local Cooperative Extension Agent.

February 1998