Black Spots on Banana? How to Stop Pitting Disease Early on Banana Plants

Expert Answer By: Joseph John Therattil

Designation: Assistant Director, Department of Agriculture, Pazhavangadi, Thrissur. E-mail: johntj139@gmail.com

A farmer asks: “I am not a new farmer. Anyway, I am into farming. As the banana bunches mature, small black-colored dots appear on the plantains. Later, these become like small pits. These banana bunches have no demand in the market. Can you suggest a solution?”

Black Spots on Plantain Leaves Caused by Fungal Disease Affecting Banana Crops

The problem described is a fungal disease called pitting disease, which commonly affects plantains and can reduce the attractiveness and market demand of banana bunches.

🍌 What This Plantain Disease Is

This is a fungal disease called pitting disease, which commonly affects plantains. The disease was first seen in Kerala in 2018.

🌱

It also affects varieties like Grand Naine, Poovan, and Mysuruvan.

🔬

Farmers and scientists at the center say that the disease is seen on tissue culture plantlets, suckers, and fruit stalks.

⚠️ Symptoms Seen on Maturing Plantains

The first symptom is black marks on the skin of maturing plantains, as if scratched with a needle. Later, these spots turn into shallow pits.

🚨 Once the disease takes hold, the collective growth of the plantains is stunted and the fruits become deformed. Hundreds of such fruits can be present on a banana bunch.

🍄 Why the Black Spots Become Pits

It could be due to the presence of excessive fungi. Often, when the plantains start to ripen, fungi can be seen on the ripened part. It is more likely that the fungal attack will spread.

Plantain Pitting Disease Causes Black Spots and Reduces Fruit Market Value

This is the reason for the increased presence of fungi in the pits that are formed. Although it does not destroy the bunch itself, it reduces its attractiveness.

🛒 Market Impact and Nursery Note

These banana bunches have no demand in the market because the disease reduces their attractiveness, even though it does not destroy the bunch itself.

💧 For nurseries, even harvesting half-matured banana bunches by breaking them is a good market opportunity. For this, polyethylene covers that retain water and moisture can be used.

✅ Control Measures Recommended

🧴

To control the disease, spray Carbendazim (Bavistin) at a rate of 2 grams/liter on the bunches and leaves.

🐛

Spraying for the nectar-sucking pest at a rate of half a milliliter (0.5 ml)/liter is also effective.

🚫

Do not plant suckers from infected banana plantations or infected tissue culture saplings.

🔎

Watch maturing bunches closely when needle-like black marks first appear, before they become shallow pits.

FAQ

What causes black spots on plantains as the bunch matures?

Black spots on maturing plantains can be caused by a fungal disease called pitting disease. The first symptoms look like needle scratches on the skin. Later, those black marks turn into shallow pits, reducing the attractiveness and market demand of the banana bunch.

Is pitting disease common in Kerala banana farms?

According to the expert answer, pitting disease commonly affects plantains and was first seen in Kerala in 2018. It has been reported on tissue culture plantlets, suckers, and fruit stalks, so farmers should avoid planting material from infected banana plantations.

Which banana varieties can be affected by this disease?

The disease commonly affects plantains and can also affect varieties like Grand Naine, Poovan, and Mysuruvan. Because it can appear on different planting materials and fruit stalks, careful selection of healthy suckers and tissue culture saplings is important.

Does pitting disease destroy the whole banana bunch?

The disease does not destroy the bunch itself, but it reduces its attractiveness. Once the disease takes hold, the collective growth of plantains may be stunted and the fruits can become deformed, with hundreds of affected fruits on one banana bunch.

What spray is recommended for black pit-like spots on plantains?

To control the disease, the recommendation is to spray Carbendazim, also known as Bavistin, at a rate of 2 grams per liter on the bunches and leaves. Spraying for the nectar-sucking pest at 0.5 ml per liter is also mentioned as effective.

Can infected suckers or tissue culture saplings spread the problem?

Yes. The guidance clearly says not to plant suckers from infected banana plantations or infected tissue culture saplings. Since the disease has been seen on tissue culture plantlets, suckers, and fruit stalks, clean planting material is a key preventive step.