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Significance

Losses and Economic Impact

The black Sigatoka disease is particularly devastating. Under favorable conditions, leaf necrosis can reduce yields by 35-50%, and many important and commonly grown cultivars are susceptible. In 1995, the average cost for controlling this disease was US$1500/ha/yr. Annually, a typical plantation requires 38-50 fungicide sprays, and these sprays may account for around 30% of the production costs. In Central America, black Sigatoka may account for 27% of the total production cost, whereas other diseases and pests may account for only 3-5% of the total production cost.

Generally, a minimum of five leaves on the plant at harvest is required for fruit quality to remain stable during transportation. Fruit from severely diseased plants are prone to premature and uneven ripening. This is a grave concern for export producers, considering the exacting demands of consumers in developed countries.

While large-scale operations can afford to spray, most small growers cannot afford chemical controls and so suffer losses. This poses a serious food security concern to subsistence farmers, particularly for those who rely heavily on plantains in their diets. In certain parts of Africa, plantains are the primary staple food (Figure 22).

Figure 22