Pest Risk Analysis For Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD)

Abstract

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) caused by the Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV, genus Babuvirus, family Nanoviridae) renders plants unproductive and eventually kills affected plants. The virus infects banana mats in a systemic manner, and the complete uprooting of diseased mats – in order to remove sources of inoculum - is thus recommended. BBTD spreads into new fields along with infected planting material and through the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, which is widespread in all banana and plantain-producing areas.