Analysis of the replanting of banana hills with infection by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum philotype II race 2 and economic losses

Abstract

Background: Moko is a disease caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum philotype II race 2, which has caused great economic losses and continues without proper management. So far there is no treatment to control the disease and the best solution is to avoid the arrival of the bacteria. This is done through strategies for managing the cultivation and eradication of infected plants, since the bacteria have the ability to spread through water, wind, and animals, among others. However, the main form of dispersal is infected planting material (hills). Methods: For this reason, to investigate the dynamics of Moko disease in plantain, a population simulation model with nonlinear ordinary differential equations was presented, with disease prevention and population of susceptible and infected plants and associated economic losses over time. Results: We found that replanting infected hills has a large effect on increasing the incidence of the disease and on production costs, in addition to generating greater economic losses. Both prevention strategies should be implemented in a medium proportion ( f=60% ; g=70%), in order to sustain a reasonable amount of susceptible plants over time. With this, the infected plants tend to be controlled, as well as leading to lower economic losses in general. Conclusion: cultural control strategies in banana Moko disease, such as disinfestation of tools, footwear, weed pruning, among others, are important agronomic practices for disease control, however the identification of infected hills plays an essential role in preventing the spread of the disease.