Banana Bunchy Top is the most important virus disease affecting the Musa family. It was recognized, as a disease in Fiji in 1889. In 1890, Taiwan reported its occurrence and was in Egypt in 1901. In Australia, symptoms were seen in 1913.

     In the Philippines, it was reported that bunchy top first appeared in abaca. It is caused by a virus with isometric particles transmitted by a brown banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq. that feeds and multiplies primarily on banana, abaca, gabi-gabi and camia. The brown banana aphid is commonly found in the funnel leaf and in between leaf sheaths of banana and abaca.

     The disease is called bunchy top owing to its rosette appearance with narrow, upright, and progressively shorter leaves.

How is Bunchy Top Transmitted?
     The brown banana aphid (P. nigronervosa Coq.) acquires the virus after feeding on an infected plant. It can transmit the virus to a healthy banana plant. Thereafter, the virus multiplies, translocates to all parts of the plant, and stays there for life. The earliest symptom of the disease appears 28 days after infection.

What are the Symptoms of the Disease?
     The virus can infect bananas at any stage of growth. Early stage of infection is mostly seen along the basal region of the leaf blade as dark green broken dashes. Succeeding leaf shows whitish dashes or vein clearing and numerous dark green streaks along the veins that may unfurl in a slightly abnormal manner.

    Advanced symptoms constitute a dark green streaks or dashes along the veins and dark green dots or broken lines along the midrib and petiole. The leaf maybe smaller than the usual and slightly rolled upwards. Succeeding leaves appear to be more and more abnormal and become progressively smaller with slightly yellow colors along the margin. These leaves are brittle and easily snap off when bent or crushed.

     Severely infected plants are typically bunched together at the apex forming rosette resulting in severe stunting.

     Infected banana plants seldom bear fruit. If ever a bunch is produced, the hands are deformed and fingers are severely reduced in size.

What Varieties are Susceptible to the Disease?
     All commercially grown varieties such as 'Cavendish', 'Grand naine', 'Lakatan', 'Latundan', 'Bungulan', 'Saba' or 'Cardaba' and 'Señorita' are susceptible to this diseases.


What are the Control Measures for the Disease?
1. Use virus-fee planting materials e.g. suckers or         tissue culture derived plantlets.

2. Immediate removal of infected plants using the         following strategy:
    - Spray plants growing within a radius of 6 m                 including the soil with suitable insecticide to kill         the aphids. Twenty-four hours after spraying,             completely dig out the plants, chop into small             pieces, allow to dry to prevent regrowth, or
    - Spray plants growing within a radius of 6 m                 including the soil with suitable insecticide to kill         the aphids. After 24 hours, cut the pseudostem         close to the ground, chop into small pieces and         allow to dry. Stab the middle of the remaining             pseudostem in the ground with a herbicide                 impregnated bamboo stick (2-4-D or Round up         +urea) to prevent regrowth. If regrowth occurs,         repeat application to the suckers arising from             the same mat.

3. Regular spraying of insecticides e.g. diazinon,            malathion, pyrethoids, etc. based on                          manufacturer's recommendation to control aphids.

4. Enforce quarantine regulations.


For more information, please contact:
Dr. Biley E. Temanel
Isabela State University
0921-475-3011