Back F. Elango
EARTH University, Apartado 4442-1000, San Jose, Costa Rica
Full Paper (PDF File: 84KB)
Abstract
Small-holder plantain in Costa Rica are severely affected by both the black sigatoka disease (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) and the nematode toppling disease (Radopholus similis). Because the chemical option is not easily affordable to most farmers, this study investigated an integrated management strategy based on the sue of EM (effective microorganisms) for black sigatoka control and the use of nematophagous fungi eg. "Nemout" (a cocktail of Dactylella brochophaga, Arthrobotrys oligospora and Arthrobotrys botryospora), Paecilomyces lilacinus and the plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (Pseudomonas fluorescens) for control of the toppling disease. Successful sigatoka control was achieved with EM up to flower initiation, with EM treated plants having up to 8 leaves/plant. However, between flower initiation and harvest, additional management measures such as dehanding were needed to produce fruit of export quality. Importantly, the Bokashi alone treatment gave the highest root biomass and yield, both of which were statistically different (P=0.05) from the control.