Evaluation of the effectiveness of the main fungicides used against Mycosphaerella fijiensis of banana plantations in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Black Sigatoka, caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet (Pseudocercospora fijiensis [Morelet] Deighton), is one of the most devastating diseases of banana. In commercial banana cropping systems, Black Sigatoka is mainly managed by fungicides. The emergence of resistant strains of M. fijiensis to commonly used fungicides has necessitated an evaluation of their efficacy on untreated (wild) populations. Our study on the effectiveness of the main fungicide molecules used in Côte d’Ivoire in the control of black leaf streak disease (BLSD) was conducted to develop new sustainable control strategies. The efficacy test of the different fungicides on M. fijiensis strains made it possible to classify the fungicides according to their capacity to reduce and delay the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease. trifloxystrobin (strobilurin) was most effective in controlling black stripe disease, followed by propiconazole, mancozeb and methyl thiophanate. However, the best result was obtained with mancozeb about the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease.