Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 June 2013
Introduction. Bananas are harvestedat the green preclimacteric stage prior to sale. The time betweenharvest and the initiation of the natural ripening process is calledgreen life. Black Leaf Streak Disease and Sigatoka Disease are themain foliar diseases affecting banana production. Sigatoka Disease (SD)is due to Mycosphaerella musicola, which frequently causesearly ripening in commercial banana plantations, considered as animportant source of damage. Our work aimed at determining the effectivenessof the removal of necrotic leaves, one month before harvest, onrecovering banana quality arising from SD-infested plants. Materialsand methods. Banana plants (totaling 80) at the floweringstage were selected in an experimental plot. These plants were dividedinto two groups of SD infestation levels: level 1 (Severity Indexat flowering < 10%) and level 2 (Severity Index at flowering > 25%).We divided each group into two treatments: a treatment with no necroticleaf removal and a treatment with necrotic leaf removal. Fruitswere harvested at the same physiological age, at 900 degree-days. Fruitquality was characterized by weight, diameter, % of ripe fruit inthe field and fruit green life. Results. Our resultsshowed that the removal of necrotic leaves causes a reduction insize parameters but leads to a strong reduction in SD effects onthe fruit maturity, thereby preventing premature ripening. Bananaplants whose necrotic leaves were removed produced fruit with a verylong green life. Discussion. Removal of necrotic leaves allowsthwarting the negative effect of SD on fruit physiology. This showsthat the presence of necrosis during the last month of fruit growth isresponsible for this fruit physiological modification characterizedby early ripening. Conclusion. Removal of necroticleaves one month before the date of harvest may be a technique thatcan limit production losses when the infestation level by SD ishigh.