Department of Plant Pathology, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur-208002.
Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is the most devastating viral disease of banana in most banana producing areas including Asia, Africa and the South Pacific regions. The disease is widespread in all banana-growing regions of India. Banana bunchy top virus causes the disease. A survey was conducted in September 2005 in the CSAUA&T campus to know the status of BBTD in banana crop. During the survey 798 plants were observed. 333 plants were found suffering from BBTD, which indicate about 42 per cent disease incidence. Based on the symptoms described earlier the infected and healthy banana plants were distinguished. The disease seriously affected the young plants. The typical ‘bunchy top’ symptoms were clearly visible. The growth of the plants was also considered and found to be stunt. The plant size remained very short. Green J-hooks were present on the leaves of mostly infected plants. Dark green streaks were also seen in the veins of lower portion of the leaf midrib, petiole and on pseudostem. ‘Dot and dashes’ symptoms were not found in all infected plants. Fruits produced by infected banana plants were found to be distorted, deformed and of little use. Further the chemical reaction test was conducted to confirm the disease with 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TZC). About 5 mm. pieces of midrib were placed in 1 per cent solution of TZC. All the plants showing characteristic symptoms were able to produce red brick colour after 1.5 hour while the healthy banana plants did not produce the colour as brick red as infected banana plants produced.
