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Casper Jansen
03-26-2018, 07:41 AM
Hey Banana lovers,

I own about 2000 banana trees and 200 plantain here in Mali (Africa). I sell or give them to the poor population to augment their usually very simple food. I am the only one growing bananas, usually successfully but now I am having problems.

There is a tiny beetle like insect that bores a small hole in the middle of the tree and disposes its eggs. The larvae eat the tree from the inside and eventually the tree topples just before the fruit is ready. The plantains, which are higher and thinner, suffer more then the banana's, i have almost 50% infected now.

My logic tells me the only solution would be to inject the tree with something. But what? And how much? Bottom or top?

The corn is healthy and its not the dreaded Cosmopolites Sordidus or banana stemborer since this has a snout. But its some kind of nematode.

Please, please, if anybody has any suggestions..

Thanks
Casper
Foto included are of a sick plantain tree, its healthy corn and the brown oatches where the insect has done its damage. But do not how, they are in the gallary

edwmax
03-26-2018, 08:26 AM
The tiny beetle insect can be controlled with pesticides sprayed on the bananas. Apply when or just before the beetle is most active. ... Nematodes are a soil borne problem.

Casper Jansen
03-26-2018, 10:47 AM
Thanks edwmax.
Although spraying might kill those airborn, the ones inside the tree are not killed and the problem starts all over.

Casper

edwmax
03-26-2018, 02:04 PM
Yes ... but pesticide on the pstem will help prevent the insect getting into the stem as well as decreasing the general population in the area. This is why the need to spray just before the insect becomes active and during its life cycle.

edwmax
03-26-2018, 02:23 PM
Just found this info about injecting the pstem.
ref: Using Pseudostem injector for effective control of Fusarium wilt, Erwinia rot and Weevil attacks. ~ Tissue Culture Banana (http://tcbanana.blogspot.in/2011/09/using-pseudostem-injector-for-effective.html)