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Preliminary
results on surveys of banana streak badnavirus (BSV) in Kenya
A.
Wangai & L. Karanja
Banana streak virus (BSV) is one of the most widely
distributed viruses of plantains and bananas.
It has been reported in more than 40 countries where bananas are
grown. Up to until 1997, the disease was not reported in Kenya, although
it has been known to occur within the East African region (Uganda,
Tanzania, Rwanda and Zanzibar) since 1994.
The aim of this study was to re-evaluate the current status of
the disease in the country The
disease evaluation was done by carrying out a disease diagnostic survey
covering the major banana growing regions in Kenya in Western, Central,
Eastern and Coastal regions. Field
BSV symptoms were observed in the crop, including chlorotic streaks,
leaf deformation, stunting, cigar leaf death, distortion of peducle,
bunch or fruits, and internal pseudostem necrosis. The virus
characteristics, occurrence and symptom indexing were determined by
serological tests ( ELISA.-(DAS) and PCR techniques. |
