KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaica says it will continue to be vigilant in preventing the entry of the Panama Disease, PDR4, and several viral diseases capable of devastating the banana industry.
It said that banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) disease is the most virulent of the diseases caused by viruses and that both PDR4 and BBTV diseases affect almost all commercial varieties and are capable of totally wiping out the productivity of a banana and plantain farm within two years.
These two diseases of economic and quarantine importance have existed for many years in Asia, where bananas and plantains also originated.
BBTV was transmitted to Africa in the 1990s but PDR4 was only recently identified on that continent. The diseases are not in Jamaica, or any country in the Western Hemisphere, but officials here warn that they can be carried across country borders in infected soil and in infected plant tissues.
“The primary method to keep the Jamaica’s banana and plantain industry safe is to continue to exclude the diseases from entering Jamaica. Therefore, it is extremely important that all visitors and returning residents to Jamaica are aware of the grave implications of violating quarantine and customs laws,” according to a statement from the Banana Board.
“Without the requisite approvals, all fresh banana and plantain plant materials are contraband and all persons are required to declare any recent visits to farms in other countries,” it added.
It said should entry evade border security, the next best method to manage the diseases is to eradicate it immediately after it is identified.
“Farmers and technical officers are being sensitized and trained by the Banana Board to identify symptoms of the diseases. Panama Disease initially affects the outer leaves of the main plant in the mat or root. The leaves wilt (buckle) or become yellow,” the statement said, adding that the symptoms of PDR4 are similar to that of Panama Disease Race 1 and 2.
“Banana farmers are reminded that Panama Disease Races 1 and 2 already exist in the soils of the main banana regions in Jamaica. PD, as it is known locally, devastated the preferred Gros Michel and Apple banana varieties in the 1950s.”
QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand (CMC) – Rain has delayed the start of the third One-Day International (ODI) cricket match between West Indies and New Zealand here at the Queenstown Events Centre today.
West Indies lead the series 1-0 after the second match was abandoned because of rain.
