Pathogen Spectrum and Management of Banana Crown Rot in Ethiopia

Banana crown rot is one of most important postharvest diseases of banana that reduces the quality and postharvest life of the fruit. It affects export of fruits in all banana producing countries including Ethiopia. There is no adequate information in Ethiopia about the importance of banana crown rot, pathogens that cause the disease and suitable methods for its management. The objectives of this study were to assess intensity of banana crown rot, to isolate and identify fungal complex associated with banana crown rot, and to evaluate the integrated effect of inorganic salt, hot water and fungicide treatments as management options of this disease. Inorganic salt at two levels integrated with three levels of water temperature and fungicide at four levels were evaluated towards the management of crown rot. The experiment was laid out in CRD with factorial combination. There was a highly significant (P<0.0001) effect on pH, TSS, TA, firmness and color of banana fruits due to combined application of treatments. In conclusion, the study revealed high occurrence and distribution of diverse fungi associated with postharvest banana crown rot.