At the initial stage, small, circular, black spots develop on the affected fruits. Then these spots enlarge in size, turn to brown colour
The skin of the fruit turns black and shrivels and becomes covered with characteristic pink acervuli. Finally the whole finger is affected. Later the disease spreads and affects the whole bunch.
The disease results in premature ripening and shriveling of the fruits which are covered with pink spore masses.
Occurrence of black lesions on the pedicel causes withering of the pedicel and dropping of the fingers from the hands
Sometimes the main stalk of the bunch may become diseased. Infected fruits become black and rotten
The disease is favoured by high atmospheric temperature and humidity, wounds and brusies caused in the fruit and susceptibility of the variety
Avoid damage to fruits at harvest and transit
Burn the infected materials
Proper field sanitation
Keep the field free of weeds and provide good drainage
Fruit should be free from infection and as possible before it is transported, stored and ripened
Banana bunches should be harvested at correct stage of maturity.
