Symptoms
Dark reddish-brown lesions inside roots and rhizomes. Toppling disease — plants lean or fall due to root rot. Yellowing and stunted growth. Reduced bunch weight in banana.
Prevention
Plant certified nematode-free planting material. Solarize soil before planting. Use resistant or tolerant varieties where available. Practice fallowing with non-host crops.
Treatment
Organic
Apply Paecilomyces lilacinus or Pochonia chlamydosporia biocontrol fungi. Incorporate organic matter (compost, green manure) to boost beneficial soil organisms. Apply neem cake to soil.
Chemical (last resort)
Apply carbofuran or fenamiphos nematicides to soil at planting. Systemic nematicides provide limited but useful control. Always follow label and PHI instructions.
Affects 1 crop
Sources
MARDI Banana Production Guide; FAO Nematode Management