06th
Feburary 2010
Black Sigatoka
Infecting Bananas
 Two
areas in St. Lucia are suspected of being infected
with a very dangerous Black Sigatoka leaf spot
disease of bananas. The areas identified are
Forestiere and Combat in the north of the island.
The disease was recently confirmed in St. Vincent
and is known to be present in some central and
South American countries, Florida, Cuba, the
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Bahamas,
Grenada and Trinidad.
This fungal disease is more aggressive and has
greater infection potential than the common
yellow leaf spot disease. It can cause great
harm to the banana industry as it is easily
spread and production of infected plants is
drastically reduced.
The disease is spread mainly by human activity
and wind. Industry officials are therefore concerned
about the movement of plant material from the
suspicious areas. The Ministry has therefore
issued a call to residents and farmers in these
localities for cooperation in restricting the
movement of all plant material.
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