Some New Post-Harvest Fungal Diseases Of Banana

Abstract

Banana is the most important fruit crop in India, accounts for 31.7 percent of the total fruit production. Banana, commonly known as poor man’s fruit is widely cultivated in varying agro-climatic regions under different systems of production. The banana research in India is directed towards increase in production and productivity. In India huge losses are being incurred on account of different types of post-harvest diseases. Post-harvest losses are much higher for highly perishable fruits and vegetables than cereals and field crops due to their high moisture content, softer texture and large unit size. Bananas are transported from localities of production to far off places for marketing and consumption. Banana fruits being succulent are liable to damage and deterioration during harvesting, transportation, marketing, storage and consumption, if not properly handled. Bananas stand in greater peril to disease and insect damage than the majority of other fruits because they are sterile, seedless mutants. However, banana cultivation continued to face several pests and diseases problems which have affected the production and productivity. The post-harvest fungal diseases of banana reported from Warangal have been discussed.