Moko Wilt of Banana

1. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
(Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3)
Kullapuram (Po), Via Vaigai Dam, Theni-625 562
Moko Wilt of Banana
STUDENT
Mr. BALAJI A
ID. No. 2015021018
COURSE TEACHER
Dr. PARTHASARATHY S
Asst. Professor (Plant Pathology)

2. I
Introduction
• Moko wilt is an important bacterial disease of banana.
• The disease is prevalent throughout the country. And almost all
varieties of banana are susceptible to the disease.
• It is widely distributed in tropical, sub tropical and some
temperate regions of the world.
• It is endemic to Central and South America.

3. Histroy
• It was first recorded in Guyana in 1840.
• Reductions in yield due to Moko of up to 74% have been
reported in Guyana.
• A disease outbreak in Trinidad in the late 1890’s caused severe
losses.
• In India, the disease was first reported from West Bengal.

4. Symptoms
• Leaves become yellow and progress upwards. The petiole
breaks and leaves hang.
• When it is cut open discolouration in vascular region with pale
yellow to dark brown colour.
• The discolouration is in the central portion of the corm.
• Internal rot of fruits with dark brown discoloration.
• When the pseudostem is cut transversely bacterial ooze can be
seen.

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7. Causal organism-Systemic position
Domain : Bacteria
Phylum : Proteobacteria
Class : Betaproteobacteria
Order : Burkholderiales
Family : Burkholderiaceae
Genus : Ralstonia
Species : Ralstonia solanacearum

8. Pathogen
• Pathogen is gram negative.
• It is an aerobic non-spore forming bacteria.
• Lophotrichus bacteria (More than one polar flagellum).
• Multiplication occurs by bacterial fission.

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10. Mode of Survival and spread
• Primary source of inoculum: The bacterium is soil/water
borne and also spreads through infected suckers or rhizomes. It
survives in susceptible host like Banana and Heliconia.
• Secondary source of inoculum: Bacterial cells spread
through irrigation water and also through suckers used for
planting.

11. Favourable conditions
• Soil temperature 28-32°c
• relative humidity 87-92%
• PH slightly acidic to neutral
• Soil clay loam and sandy loam soil

12. Life Cycle
 The bacteria survive through infected rhizomes and also in soil
for 6 months to 2 years.
 The spread is through use of infected rhizomes, cutting
machetes at the time of planting.
 Entry into the host is mainly through injuries such as those
caused during various cultural operations and attack of insects
and nematodes.

13.  The bacteria multiply rapidly in the xylem. Auxin balance of
the plant is disturbed.
 IAA is synthesized by the bacterium and by the host and
accumulates due to inhibition of the auxin degrading system.
 Loss of virulence in the bacterium is generally accompanied.

14. Management
 Use disease free planting materials.
 Use resistant varieties like Robusta and Grand Naine.
 Infected plants should be collected and burnt.
 Give proper drainage and avoid movement of water from
infected to healthy plants.
 Drip irrigation method reduces the spread of bacteria.
 Avoid furrow irrigation and follow basin irrigation .

15.  Apply Copper Oxychloride @ 3gm per lit and
Sreptocycline @0.5gm per lit as a soil drench.
 Disinfect the irrigation water with 0.1% bleaching powder
solution .
 Spread bleaching powder or 10 % fresh cow dung slurry
(100g/L)in the plant basin .
 Drench soil with 1% Bordeaux mixture or 0.4% Copper
oxychloride (4g/L) .