Banana bunchy top
A serious viral disease of banana spread by aphids and infected suckers, causing stunted plants with bunched, narrow leaves.
Also known as: BBTV
Symptoms and identification
Dark green streaks like dots and dashes on the leaf veins and stalks. New leaves become narrow, upright, brittle and bunched at the top, with yellow edges. Infected plants rarely produce a usable bunch.
Causes
The virus is spread by the banana aphid and by planting suckers from infected plants.
Organic treatment
There is no cure. Dig out infected plants with their suckers and destroy them. Treat aphids on nearby plants first so they do not spread.
Prevention
Plant tissue-culture plants or suckers from healthy plants only. Check plants regularly for banana aphids at the base of leaves.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
Chemicals do not cure viral diseases. Control aphids before removing infected plants.