Farm Management Tips
Jul 11, 2011
<b>Proper hygiene can eliminate banana wilt</b><br>Proper hygiene and sanitation in farming will eliminate the banana bacterial wilt disease according to Dr. Andrew Kigundu, the head of banana biotechnology research at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).
By Prossy Nandudu
Proper hygiene can eliminate banana wilt
Proper hygiene and sanitation in farming will eliminate the banana bacterial wilt disease according to Dr. Andrew Kigundu, the head of banana biotechnology research at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).
His comments come after a fresh outbreak of the disease in Kayunga and Ntungamo districts, some of the major suppliers of bananas to the city centre.
The outbreak means that matooke prices may not come down as expected by a section of the public because the major supplying areas have been hit by the disease.
In Kayunga, banana wilt has been witnessed in Kyabazaala, Nazigo sub-county, Kisoga, Namulanda, and Busaale.
Kigundu advises farmers to observe proper sanitation to prevent further spread.
Farmers should identify the infected plant and carefully remove it without affecting the healthy plants.
Farmers should wash their hands with disinfectants after touching the infected plant.
All affected plants should be burnt.
Tools used on sick plants should be sterilised because they can easily spread the disease.
Fruit flies should be avoided by removing the male buds of a plant, which attracts flies, especially during pollination, thus spreading the disease.
Restrict movement in the banana plantation.
Symptoms of wilt
Kigundu explains that a farmer can identify a sick plant by looking out for some of the following symptoms.
Leaves turn yellow.
When the plant is cut, a liquid oozes out, giving off a bad smell.
The fruits (bananas) ripen fast but have a bad smell.
Kigundu also warns against feeding animals on the affected plants, adding that they are failing to control the spread of the disease partly due to the laxity on the part of farmers.
“We started a sensitisation campaign in 2005 which has been going on, but farmers tend to ignore some of the tips they are given to manage and control the disease,†says Kigundu.
He adds that the long-term solution to the disease is breed banana varieties that are resistant to the disease and other pests.
“We are currently undertaking some field trials on some banana breeds to come up with resistant varieties that can withstand both the wilt and other pests. In the meantime, proper hygiene and sanitation on the part of farmers could eliminate the disease,†Kigundu discloses.
Proper hygiene can eliminate banana wilt
Proper hygiene and sanitation in farming will eliminate the banana bacterial wilt disease according to Dr. Andrew Kigundu, the head of banana biotechnology research at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).
His comments come after a fresh outbreak of the disease in Kayunga and Ntungamo districts, some of the major suppliers of bananas to the city centre.
The outbreak means that matooke prices may not come down as expected by a section of the public because the major supplying areas have been hit by the disease.
In Kayunga, banana wilt has been witnessed in Kyabazaala, Nazigo sub-county, Kisoga, Namulanda, and Busaale.
Kigundu advises farmers to observe proper sanitation to prevent further spread.
Farmers should identify the infected plant and carefully remove it without affecting the healthy plants.
Farmers should wash their hands with disinfectants after touching the infected plant.
All affected plants should be burnt.
Tools used on sick plants should be sterilised because they can easily spread the disease.
Fruit flies should be avoided by removing the male buds of a plant, which attracts flies, especially during pollination, thus spreading the disease.
Restrict movement in the banana plantation.
Symptoms of wilt
Kigundu explains that a farmer can identify a sick plant by looking out for some of the following symptoms.
Leaves turn yellow.
When the plant is cut, a liquid oozes out, giving off a bad smell.
The fruits (bananas) ripen fast but have a bad smell.
Kigundu also warns against feeding animals on the affected plants, adding that they are failing to control the spread of the disease partly due to the laxity on the part of farmers.
“We started a sensitisation campaign in 2005 which has been going on, but farmers tend to ignore some of the tips they are given to manage and control the disease,†says Kigundu.
He adds that the long-term solution to the disease is breed banana varieties that are resistant to the disease and other pests.
“We are currently undertaking some field trials on some banana breeds to come up with resistant varieties that can withstand both the wilt and other pests. In the meantime, proper hygiene and sanitation on the part of farmers could eliminate the disease,†Kigundu discloses.