Banana freckle

Several strains of this pathogen exist, and some are species specific. For example, the fungal strain that infects Australian bananas, Lady Finger and Bluggoe, does not infect Cavendish bananas.[2] Individual strains are found in various locations across the globe (see “Environment” section for more information on pathogen strains). Banana Freckle is not known to infect any other types of fruits.

Symptoms typically appear after 2–4 weeks after the banana cluster has opened, and seem to be primarily localized on older leaves.[3] Infected tissues may also yellow with age, and eventually senesce in the most severe case of symptoms. Even in the cases of minor infection, the fungus renders the banana fruit unmarketable at the loss of the grower.[4]

Major macroscopic diagnostic signs include small brown to dark brown specks on leaves and fruits, which indicate the presence of fungal spores protruding through the infected tissues. Depending on which stage (sexual or asexual) the fungus completes its life cycle, the spots will be either pycnidia or conidia.[5] Microscopically, these dark spots, or freckles, can range from 1 mm in diameter to 4 mm .[6]

As is the case for most fungal diseases, Banana Freckle is diagnosed based on the presence of its spores. Fruiting bodies and spores obtained from lesions and fungal cultures are key components when identifying the pathogen.[7] The causal strain of the fungus can then be determined by the type of banana it has infected.

Banana freckle has been identified in 27 countries.[6] Warm, humid environments like that of Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania are ideal growing conditions for the causal genera guignardium and phyllosticta. The high annual precipitation of these tropical areas is also very conducive to the spread of the spores by splash.

There are a number of control methods to prevent and reduce the Banana Freckle disease. The paper bag method seems to be the most effective way to gain physical control of the pathogen. The infected leaves are the primary source of spores, and placing a bag over the bananas, once harvested, creates a barrier to prevent inoculum from spreading to the fruit.[8]

Some cultural controls include pruning out infectious plant material, planting in pathogen-free fields, and practicing proper sanitation techniques. In the Philippines, pruning and cutting out patches of infected tissue have prevented the spread of the pathogen in the plant during disease outbreaks. General sanitation practices have also reduced the spread of inoculum. When planters failed to maintain sanitary equipment, seeds, and soil, they witnessed severe fruit infections.[3] The more freckles seen on the leaves of the plant, the more the fruit develops symptoms of the disease. Inversely, less freckles corresponded to less disease.

In addition, multiple fungicides have been seen to reduce Banana Freckle disease. In Hawaii, spraying the leaves and fruit with maneb (1 lb./100 gal water plus 4 oz of sticker-spreader) every 2 weeks or once a month throughout the year has remarkably reduced the spread of inoculum.[3] In Taiwan, spraying fungicides, such as phaltan, orthocide, chlorothalonil, dithiocarbamates, and propiconazole, biweekly have produced effective results against the disease. In the Philippines, chemical controls used against Black or Yellow Sigatoka disease have been helpful. These consist of mancozeb, triazoles, tridemorph, and strobilurin. Mancozeb seems to be the most effective fungicide against Banana Freckle disease in Hawaii and the Philippines .[9] These fungicides do not eliminate the pathogen completely, but they reduce the inoculum levels and eventually reduce yield loss.

Lastly, eradication of infected plants can prevent further infection of other fruit around the area.

Banana Freckle disease has become a major problem for many countries involved with banana export and production. In the absence of disease management, there is an estimated 78% yield loss. However, the expenses that go toward methods for disease control is 25% of the selling price .[9] Although the fruit is still edible when affected by the disease, market value is reduced. Japan does not tolerate any symptoms and will not purchase any bananas with suspicious blemishes. This causes problems for the exporting business in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Banana Freckle was first identified in Hawaii in 1917 and then soon after in the Philippines. The disease is most common in Hawaii, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and New Guinea to name a few. This devastating fungal disease can infect the leaves during any stage of the plant’s life cycle .[10] A number of pathogenic species in north Queensland and the Northern Territory were found infecting Cavendish bananas since 1979 and 1991, respectively. It is believed that the pathogen is mutating rapidly and needs to be closely monitored .[4] Further testing and quarantine notices have been placed on infected areas to prevent movement of disease.