Abstract

MANZO-SANCHEZ, Gilberto et al. Diseases of quarantine and economic importance in banana tree ( Musa sp.) in México. Rev. mex. fitopatol [online]. 2014, vol.32, n.2, pp.89-107. ISSN 2007-8080.

Banana trees are an important source of employment and income, and they are also an essential source of nourishment. The cultivation of banana trees in Mexico has been severely affected by pests and diseases, which are a limiting factor in production for small-scale farmers, as well as for large companies, which target their production at international markets. Diseases affect any tissue of the plant, and are caused mainly by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. The entry to Mexico of a quarantine disease would be a major risk to the cultivation of banana trees, which could collapse and cause economic losses. This review will discuss some of the diseases that could cause a greater impact on the cultivation of banana trees, including leaf spot disease, Panama disease, bacterian Moko, bacterial wilt, bunchy top virus, banana streak virus, and banana mosaic virus. Their economic impacts on other countries will also be presented, along with their causal agent and their control methods.

Keywords : Musaceae; integrated management; Panama disease; quarantines; dissemination.