Bananas.org - Spots on GM fruit

Bananas.org (http://www.bananas.org/)

- Banana Plant Health And Maintenance Topics (http://www.bananas.org/f310/)

- - Spots on GM fruit (http://www.bananas.org/f310/spots-gm-fruit-48348.html)

louis14

06-19-2018 01:57 AM

Spots on GM fruit

I wonder if members could recommend how to avoid the presence of an excess amount of spots such as these. Thank you!

edwmax

06-19-2018 06:34 AM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

It would depend on what caused the spots, insect bites or fungus.

Plastic bags over the fruit early on and while developing can keep off the insects. General spraying will help too.

Use a fungicide on the bunch to help control the fungus. Copper sulfate is regularly used and will control a number of fungus types.

Just make sure what ever is sprayed on the fruit will break down after a few days leaving no harmful residue on the fruit.

louis14

06-19-2018 07:02 AM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax (Post 316207)

It would depend on what caused the spots, insect bites or fungus.

Plastic bags over the fruit early on and while developing can keep off the insects. General spraying will help too.

Use a fungicide on the bunch to help control the fungus. Cooper sulfate is regularly used and will control a number of fungus types.

Just make sure what ever is sprayed on the fruit will break down after a few days leaving no harmful residue on the fruit.

Thanks for the heads up.

We have not noticed any insects, I am thinking especially of fire ants that could cause these spots as they do to our mangoes. Fungus! I had not envisaged that possibility. I will check fruit tomorrow with a microscope and we will start some immediate spray applications just in case

Akula

06-19-2018 10:53 AM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

Below is a link to a pretty cool banana plantation tutorial put out by the Australians. A couple fruit diseases are addressed on page 159.

http://era.daf.qld.gov.au/id/eprint/...-banana-ki.pdf

louis14

06-19-2018 04:54 PM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akula (Post 316215)

Below is a link to a pretty cool banana plantation tutorial put out by the Australians. A couple fruit diseases are addressed on page 159.

http://era.daf.qld.gov.au/id/eprint/...-banana-ki.pdf

Brilliant document Akula!
Thanks a million :nanadrink:

edwmax

06-19-2018 07:13 PM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

Two more references for info:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...bCQdW7duaNLsQ-

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edi...d-diseases.htm

Akula

06-20-2018 12:15 AM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

Louis, the whole subtropical banana growers kit can be found here:

Subtropical Banana Information Kit. Agrilink, your growing guide to better farming guide - DAF eResearch Archive (eRABBB)

Probably a few good bits and ideas in there you might be able to use.

I enjoy the updates of your plantation! Good luck!

edwmax

06-20-2018 07:14 AM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

From one of the references above Banana rust thrips could be the cause of the spots and splitting of the peel. These are controllable with insecticide and bagging.

Quote:

Thrips – Banana rust thrips (C. signipennis), as its name suggests, stains the peel, causing it to split and exposes the flesh which then begins to rot. Insecticidal dust (Diazinon) or a spraying of Dieldrin can control thrips, which pupate in the soil. Additional insecticides combined with polyethylene bagging are also used to control thrips on commercial farms.

louis14

06-20-2018 09:22 AM

Re: Spots on GM fruit

Rust Thrips
Absolutely agree!
We are implementing pest control to counter this problem. It is a shame as until now our bananas were 100% organic. There is currently no functionning organic solution for this infestation so we will have to spray with appropriate pesticides.
At least both spots and fruit splitting seem to originate from the same vector.
My sincere thanks to everyone who helped in identifying the problem. This forum is just amazing! :nanadrink:

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:36 AM.