Incorporation of a microbial fungicide into a chemical fungicide program for the control of black sigatoka disease in banana plants

Abstract: Black Sigatoka (BS) disease is caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet, one of the most devastating diseases of banana crops worldwide. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating a microbial fungicide (MF) based on Bacillus subtilis EA-CB0015 and its metabolites, into a chemical fungicide program regularly used for the control of BS in field conditions. Results showed that the incorporation of the MF into the fungicide program did not have any significant effect on the state of evolution of the disease (SED), although it did have in the disease severity (DS), suggesting that the MF could be used instead of the protectant fungicide mancozeb under certain circumstances.