Monitoring of Sigatoka disease(Mycosphaerella musicola)in the Windward Islands for tolerance to fungicides∗

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Abstract
Sigatoka disease, caused by M. musicola Leach ex Mulder (Cercospora musae Zimm.), is presently the predominant form of banana leafspot in the Windward Islands and several other important banana growing countries. A simple method of monitoring for tolerance to fungicides using conidia of C. musae is described. This method avoids the possible confusion that can occur with ascospores of other Mycosphaerella spp. No pathogen tolerance to 5 ppm benomyl in the Windward Islands was revealed but the common leaf cohabitant M. musae (Speg.) Syd, is often tolerant. A rotation program of fungicide applications is now recommended in the Windward Islands.