Abstract
Musa (banana and plantain) provides a major source of carbohydrates for about 400 million people of whom 20 million are from East Africa. Yet, banana is threatened by number constraints, banana streak virus inclusive. Banana streak virus (BSV) was monitored in Rakai and Ntungamo, Uganda for up to 72 months after planting (MAP) and 29MAP respectively. BSV incidence increase over time was fitted into exponential model and spatial spread analysed by 2DCLASS and 2DCORR. BSV infection was initiated in Rakai 29 months after planting (MAP), but only 6 MAP in Ntungamo. BSV incidence then increased at a rate of 0.10 plants respectively / infected plant / month at a rate 0.23 plants / infected plant / month in Rakai and Ntungamo respectively. In both sites, spatial analysis showed that there were significant aggregated BSV spatial patterns. New infections were more likely to occur within a 10 rows/coloumns from an old infection. Significant edge effects were also detected in Ntungamo, indicating that there was significant spread from the immediate surroundings (infected established field suggesting need for separation of new fields from old infected fields to delay onset of BSV. Roguing should be frequent enough to offset rate of BSV incidence increase. The study shows that BSV is a slow spreading disease; however, there is sufficient time in this perennial cropping system for it to increase to epidemic levels. It is however, possible to check the advance of the BSV epidemic through phytosanitary measures. Key words: Banana streak virus (BSV), spatial and temporal spread, phytosanitation.
Highlights
Plantains and bananas (Musa) are among the most important fruits, cultivated in over 120 countries (FAO, 2001)
Banana streak virus (BSV) incidence increase over time was fitted into exponential model and spatial spread analysed by 2DCLASS and 2DCORR
BSV incidence increased from 1.4%, 37 months after planting (MAP) to 28%, 72 MAP
Summary
Plantains and bananas (Musa) are among the most important fruits, cultivated in over 120 countries (FAO, 2001). The Musa provides a major source of carbohydrates for about 400 million people (Swennen et al, 1995) of whom 20 million are from East Africa. Uganda ranks second in the world in banana production with an annual output of about 10.5 million tonnes (FAO, 2001). Over 12 million people including 65% of the urban population depend on the crop as their staple and income. Global Musa production has increased by 113% from 46 million tonnes in 1968 to 98 million tonnes in 1998, their average yield have risen by only 18% from 8.45 t/ha to 9.96 t/ha during this period (Karamura, 1998). In Uganda, productivity has been steadily declining due to the effects of pests and diseases, declining soil fertility, poor crop husbandry, and socio-economic and post-harvest problems (Gold et al, 1993)
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