Status of the Prevention and Control Practices of Farmers on “Bugtok†Disease in ‘Cardaba’ Musa balbisiana in Misamis Occidental, Philippines

“Bugtok†disease in ‘Cardaba’ (Musa balbisiana) has become a serious problem in Philippine banana industry for the past decades. This endemic and widely distributed bacterial disease infects ‘Cardaba’ particularly the fruit leaving it unfit for consumption. This study aimed to identify the prevention and control practices of ‘Cardaba’ farmers on “bugtok†disease in Misamis Occidental, Philippines using the semi-structured interview method. Results revealed that burning of suckers from infected plants, and planting of new propagules were the two most frequently practiced preventive measures. Clean culture, application of ash and cutting of infected plants were the three most frequently practiced control measures. However, findings showed that some measures, along with other less frequently used, were not appropriately and skillfully utilized. While farmers adopted prevention and control practices learned from radio or television programs, they, however, should coordinate with the Department of Agriculture for technical assistance in the context of the disease.

 

Keywords: bacterial disease, banana, clean culture, propagules, suckers.