An Integrated Approach to Control the Black Leaf Streak Disease (BLSD) of Bananas, while Reducing Fungicide Use and Environmental Impact

Bananas are one of the main agricultural productions in the world, and the main fruit crop, with an annual production of about 117 Mt (Lescot, 2011). International trade of bananas represents 14Mt·year–1 with a value of more than 4 billion US$ (Loeillet, 2005). The production of bananas for this international trade is grown in a small number of tropical countries mainly located in Latin America (80%), in African and Asian countries, and in the European community (French West Indies, Canary Islands). In all these countries, this industry is economically important and a source of direct and indirect employment. But one of the main problems is that it relies on a very narrow genetic base, the Cavendish subgroup, which is exposing the industry to important pest and disease threats.