Ronda-Plaza, Paola

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  • Publication
    Pseudocercospora fijiensis in banana: Assessment of resistance elicitors and application of early detection techniques as a management alternative
    (2024-05-10) Ronda-Plaza, Paola; Feliciano-Rivera, Merari; College of Agricultural Sciences; Giraldo-Zapata, Martha C.; Almodovar-Caraballo, Wanda; Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences; Saavedra-Lugo, Janitza
    Black Sigatoka is one of the main foliar diseases affecting bananas. It is mainly controlled by extensive use of fungicides; therefore, alternatives are needed to minimize associated environmental and economic impacts. Early disease detection can be used to mitigate future impacts by implementing effective management strategies. This investigation aimed to evaluate disease epidemiology, disease detection, and diagnosis efficacy with Stover’s visual scale and Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and the effect of resistance elicitors on bananas sourced from tissue culture. Results showed that disease-free planting material delayed disease appearance. A positive linear relationship was observed for the Spearman correlation between temperature, relative humidity, and disease severity (ρ > 0. 79). Early disease detection was achieved with LAMP and no significant difference was observed in the yield of plants treated with resistance elicitors. The high disease severity indexes directly impacted banana yield, resulting in values below 50% of what it is supposed to be a commercial grade for the Gran Nain variety in Puerto Rico.