Management of rhizome rot/tip over disease of banana

Abstract

A serious Rhizome rot/ Tip - over disease of Banana is becoming a major problem in all the banana growing areas of Maharashtra and other Banana growing states of India in post rainy season. The disease was caused by the bacterial strains of Erwinia chrysanthemi. The infection occurred on new banana plantation of one month old in poorly drained soil. In post rainy season, banana plantations of 8 to 10 weeks were found severely infected. E. chrysanthemi pv. paradisiaca produced soft rot symptom on healthy banana rhizomes within three weeks. The results of present investigation revealed that the treatment healthy suckers + Soil application with 6 gm. bleaching powder 5 times at monthly interval up to 4 MAP + drenching with streptocycline 1lit / plant (500 PPM) at 1st MAP + Trichoderma viride (50 gm/ plant at 2nd, 4th MAP) + Growing sunhemp in the inter spaces till 6 month after planting recorded least incidence 19.93% and also recorded highest yield (78.01 MT/ha) and B:C Ratio (2.51). These treatments were suggested for management of rhizome rot or Tip over disease.