Saving abaca from the onslaught of the bunchy-top disease

Issue Date

10-2000

Abstract

Bunchy-top, caused by a virus which is transmitted by the aphid vector Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq., is the most destructive disease of abaca. Epidemics of the disease have devastated many abaca plantations in the Bicol Region of the Philippines for more than a half-century. The disease can be controlled by eradication of diseased plants, but this approach has not yielded the desired results due to inadequate understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and of the insect vector. A current collaborative program between the Fiber Industry Development Authority and the University of the Philippines Los Baños, which is aimed at managing abaca bunchy-top with a holistic approach, is discussed. This program involves ascertaining the distribution and dynamics of the disease and of the insect vector, eradication of infected materials, replanting virus-free tissue-cultured materials in eradicated areas, training of field technicians, and community education to inform farmers and other stakeholders in the abaca industry of the importance of bunchy-top and the need for a concerted effort toward its management

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The (Formerly: The Philippine Agriculturist)

ISSN

0031-7454

Volume

83

Issue

4

Page

379-385

Document Type

Article

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Frequency

quarterly

Physical Description

illustrations; references

Language

English

Subject

abaca, bunchy-top disease, sustainable disease management, holistic approach epidemiology

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ABACA; MUSA TEXTILIS; BANANA BUNCHY TOP; BANANA BUNCHY TOP VIRUS; PLANT DISEASES; INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS; PENTALONIA NIGRONERVOSA; IMMUNOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES; TISSUE CULTURE; FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS; TECHNICIANS; WORKSHOPS; SKILL TRAINING; FARMER PARTICIPATION; COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; CARTOGRAPHY

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