Banana bunchy top virus

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV)
Scientific classification
Family:	Nanoviridae
Genus:	Babuvirus
Species:	Banana bunchy top virus
Synonyms
	abaca bunchy top virus

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is a plant pathogenic virus of the family Nanoviridae.

Information

In 2004 Hawaii rediscovered Banana Bunchy top virus in residential areas close to major commercial plantations. It was first discovered in Hawaii in 1989. The virus is so named because it leads to stunted growth that gives bananas a bunchier than normal look and eventually takes away a plant's ability to produce fruit at all. Thus far, the virus appears to be limited to residential plants and not commercial farms. The agriculture department, however, recently obtained an EPA waiver for the pesticide Provado as a means of controlling the aphids that spread the disease. No cure for the virus has yet been discovered. Some control can be achieved by killing the aphids which spread the virus.

Prevention

Control of banana bunchy top is achieved by killing the banana aphids then destroying all infected material. First, the aphids should be killed on the infected banana mat and then proceed to kill the mat. Banana mats usually consist of several plants, some mature and some developing suckers, all coming from one underground root. Infected banana plants can be first sprayed with an insecticide like Sevin, or simply soapy water. Only the whorl and upper part of the trunk are sprayed to kill the aphids, which like to hide deep in the central whorl.

References

External links

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