Journal of Environmental Biology

Assessment of seasonal occurrence of leaf spot of banana using applied ICT-based surveillance

D. Raghavendra¹, N. Singh¹, P.N. Meena¹, K.B. Ramesh², S. Chander¹, M. Malik¹, M. Choudhary¹*, N. Sheoran¹ and

R. Thangavelu¹     

¹ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi-110 068, India

²ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Regional Research station, Sargatia-274 406, India

Received: 13 September 2024                   Revised: 04 December 2024                   Accepted: 28 May 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : manoj04444@gmail.com                     *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8352-9329

Abstract

Aim: In the present study, disease surveillance with applied ICT was carried out in Banana (Musa sp.) to assess the severity of leaf spot disease in major banana growing areas of Maharashtra from 2012-2022.

Methodology: During the study period, observations of disease severity were recorded from two fixed orchards by field scout. Twenty plants were randomly detected and examined for leaf spot disease. The scoring was done based on 15 leaves per plant. Data were analysed by One-way ANOVA and the statistical procedures were performed with R programme.

Results: Data of ten seasons on the leaf spot disease monitoring on banana revealed that, the disease commenced in the month of August-September in Maharashtra. The increased incidence was observed in the month of October with 6 to 15% severity of leaf followed by November (2 to 5% severity on leaf area) in monitored orchards.

Interpretation: Implementation of management options before the onset of October and November for leaf spot disease may greatly help the farming community in saving banana crop disease. This will also help plant protection workers to develop integrated disease management strategies. The study offers farmers timely advice on disease management.

Key words: ICT tools, Leaf spot disease, Musa sp., Wide-area pest surveillance

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