"The appearance of 'Red Spots' and black Sigatoka in banana plantations are the result of a series of poor farming practices," said Mary Carmen Yamamoto, fruit specialist.
"Allowing weeds to grow alongside banana plantations strengthens the Red Spot, for these plants are a host for this pest. Furthermore, misplacing the plastic bag in the raceme exposes the fruit to different diseases," she said.
She pointed out that, to prevent the development of such pests, farmers must properly position the taping in each raceme and to rip out the offspring that starts to grow on the side of banana plants that are in production. She also recommended to avoid using blue colour tape because it can attract another pests.
Organic insecticides can work as a solution to the problem if they are implemented correctly. Last week the JNB stated that 20% of the plantations in Piura are currently affected by the Red Spot.
In this regard, Yamamoto explained that the organic insecticide called "retonona", which producers are planning to import from the U.S., will be used for the first time on organic bananas in Peru. "It is an insecticide made up of a substance of vegetable origin rotenoide, obtained from roots," she said.
In turn, the specialist confirmed that the pest is present in Piura, but also in Tumbes and in the jungle. In the last two areas, plantations are also attacked by black sigatoka, a fungus that damages banana leaves, stopping the fruit's development.
Peru produces about 25,000 kilos a year of organic bananas. Piura is the largest producing area, with 11,000 hectares devoted to the crop, of which some 5,300 are organic and the remainder conventional.
Source: (Agraria.pe)