Rapid assessment of Musa for reaction to Sigatoka disease

A technique for the rapid assessment of Musa for reaction to Sigatoka disease (Mycosphaerella musicola) was devised. The youngest leaves of plants grown from in vitro plantlets were inoculated with mycelium fragments of M musicola when 19-22 cm in length. After incubation at 25 °C under continuous mist for 7 d and then in a growth cabinet with a 16L/8D photoperiod for 23-34 d, plants were rated for disease reaction. Susceptibility was defined as the development of profuse, mature lesions; partial resistance as the development of a few, immature lesions and extreme resistance as the failure of any lesions to develop. Wild Musa species, banana and plantain cultivars and breeding lines were screened for disease resistance. The results are analysed in the light of known responses of germplasm to Sigatoka and current knowledge on Musa-M musicola interactions. Limitations of the methodology are discussed. © 1995 Elsevier, Paris.