gogreen

Samples sent to the lab today. I'll report the results. Fingers crossed this problem is treatable.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

Ripsaw

Any news from IFAS regarding this problem. I also live in zone 10.

gogreen

I expect to hear something end of this coming week or early the following week.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

gogreen

The plant specimen diagnostic report came back:

Symptoms on banana fruit submitted to the Florida Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic resemble those caused by Banana Streak Virus. Once a plant is infected with a virus it is virtually impossible to get rid of it. Do not propagate from infected plants. Purchase plants only from sources who test for viruses. Promote optimal plant health through proper fertilization and irrigation. Please contact your local county extension agent for further questions.

Disappointing news, but at least there's no more guessing about the problem.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

beam2050

sorry to hear.

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npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

edwmax

They are not going to test the samples? But only render a statement!

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gogreen

I can't tell from the "statement" if they actually tested my samples, or if they made a judgment just from looking at the samples and photographs I sent. Does anyone know how this works? I emailed the person who sent me the report for an explanation on 2/2. No response--yet. I'll be contacting the director. This is beginning to seem like a $40 ripoff. I hope I'm wrong.

Samples and photos sent to IFAS in Homestead, FL.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

edwmax

Symptoms & resemble are visual evaluations of the sample. Where as a TEST should prove 'positive or negative' results. Then the report should make a statement such as 'the test prove positive or negative for ????'.

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geosulcata

Maybe in the future, send to plant pathology at DPI in Gainesville. They test for free as far as I know.

gogreen

In fairness, the report did include a microscopic examination. I'm hoping my naivety of the scientific procedure is causing my skeptical response.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

gogreen

I received clarification on the Florida Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic:

For that sample, we contacted expert professors and doctors from the tropical field and for the specialized banana field as we suspected that it was a virus, more specifically Banana Streak Virus. We also tested the sample for pathogens in general to discard other possibilities.

As I mentioned, I certainly did not mean to impinge on anyone or the clinic's work or reputation. My unfamiliarity with this kind of testing drove my skepticism, which I see is, thankfully, totally unfounded.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

Ripsaw

Well, we kind of guessed it was a fungus or a virus. Get rid of them, find another part of the property to plant on if you can. Ask the IFAS for their advice on replanting elsewhere in the yard, any idea what causes it (other plants, etc), or any controls? Good luck and keep us informed about it.

I believe I do not live too far from you so this is of concern to me as well. Thanks!

gogreen

I can't confirm it, but I suspect a mealybug infestation caused the virus--that is, mealybugs transferred the virus to the plant. I've had mealybug infestations elsewhere in my landscaping, so I'm not surprised. I did spray with insecticidal soap, but I think I was too late with it. Right now, I will likely not replant.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

Ripsaw

I use Organicide product to drench the soil and to spray my plants late in the evening when applying per instructions. It never fails me by taking out aphids, white flies and mealybugs. I am also checking to see if someone has treated the soil for the virus successfully, but it is always better to start a new planting location. If caused by mealybugs, getting rid of them may help.

gogreen

I made my own safe insecticide with Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. Works well. I used it on oleander caterpillars and it kills them within minutes.

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Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

Ripsaw

Yeah! Dr Bronners is good. I use it too. Got a couple of recipes using it. Good stuff! Works well with pure Neem oil.

Ripsaw

GoGreen,

I did some more checking out of curiosity. Florida is one of the areas in the world having this virus. It is similar to one in sugarcane, and can be found in heliconia (false bird of paradise). Also transmitted by mealybugs and infected bananas (cavendish is one). And you should acquire bananas that have been tested for this. Appears to be a major problem in some countries such as Ecuador and many others. The virus won't transfer to your cutting tools but it is always a good idea to clean them anyway. Seems like people say it is not transmitted via soil but other plant materials in the soil may be enough.

It is also transferred by seeds, as well as associated with some species of mealybugs. So, get rid of the plants, get rid of the mealybugs, and plant somewhere else on your lot, and keep an eye out for more symptoms and mealybugs. Try planting some different Musa. (see the report for susceptible plants)

Commercial growers have controlled the virus by drastic eradication within 50 m2 of the infected plant. Sometimes leaves are flecked or streaked but not always showing up immediately, sometimes within three generations.

"Detection and Inspection
If possible, plants should be grown under cool or fluctuating temperatures. The leaves should be inspected for chlorotic or necrotic streak or fleck symptoms. Not all leaves may show symptoms; often streaks are only seen on one or two leaves on an infected plant. Incomplete bunch emergence or bunches emerging through the pseudostem also suggest that the plant may be virus infected."

Also,
"Mealybug vectors should be controlled if virus incidence is high and the disease appears to be spreading from plant to plant. The virus is unlikely to be spread on cutting tools or by mechanical means.

In Ecuador, where banana streak is a serious problem in some commercial Cavendish plantations, plants with symptoms are quickly destroyed after spraying with insecticide in an effort to contain the outbreak. If 10 plants with symptoms are seen in a 50 m² area, then all plants in that area are destroyed. However, these practices have failed to stop spread and more drastic action is being considered (Lockhart and Jones, 1999)."

Plants may be symptomless (see Symptoms) and tests need to be undertaken to determine if the virus is present or absent (see Diagnostic Methods).

Looks like Florida is unlucky enough to be on the list of of places where this occurs so eradicate it.

*I am adding a link to the report on this if you haven't seen it already.
Banana streak disease

gogreen

Thanks, RipsawFF. You've given me hope. I may try a less susceptible banana variety in a different location.

__________________
Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

gogreen

Now that I think about it, does anyone know what are the banana varieties that are most resistant to banana streak virus?

__________________
Arthur in Zone 10
https://www.facebook.com/composerarthurjmichaels

Ripsaw

Sorry I haven't replied lately. Been occupied catching up on family and life.

I think most cultivars of banana are susceptible to the Badnavirus, but this source suggested two that seem to "rarely" have this virus:

"Cultivars Lady Finger (Musa AAB group) and Goldfinger (Musa AAAB group) have been propagated in large quantities in Australia by tissue culture, but infection in these cultivars is very rare (A. D. W. Geering & J. E. Thomas, unpublished data)."

They still can get the virus so control of the mealybugs should be a regular treatment plan. Introducing "mealybug destroyers" or other insect control of mealybugs would be helpful. I have used the mealybug destroyer with success as an experiment by a friend from Davey Tree Company. They were wonderful cleaning up my hibiscus without chemical treatments, and ridding mealybugs, scale, and aphids elsewhere in the yard. They are voracious predators.

The only problems with them are they look similar to mealybugs in the young stage. Adult stage gives the name of brown ladybug. My neighbor mistook them for mealybugs and blanketed the area and part of my adjoining yard with chems killing many (they will travel to other yards in search of more prey). So, you need to know what they look like to avoid killing them. I organicide when they are not present to destroy soft bodied insect pests.

You can also do soil drenches with organicide, and spray your bananas directly to rid them and control the pests, but, remember, it only takes one mealybug to spread the virus which may not show up immediately.

I believe you are on Pine Island, right? Go to one of the nurseries down the road and ask them what they recommend. They could recommend a good banana that might work for you.

Meanwhile, I am at it searching for mealybug infestations on my plants. Keep us informed as to what you decide to do and the outcome, which may take a while.

Good luck, and thanks for bringing this problem to light!