Abstract
A description is provided for Guignardia musae. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Musa cavendishii, M. paradisiaca and M. sapientum. DISEASE: Freckle of banana (Musa). Symptoms on the fingers may appear 2-4 weeks after the bunch has shot but are most noticeable at harvest. On the fruit are red brown, superficial spots usually circular, up to 2 mm diam., with dark green watersoaked halos. Spots may coalesce and dense aggregations of them may form streaks or circular areas. At harvest freckle may completely cover the fingers; the presence of pycnidia renders the surface rough to the touch. The proximal hand is often the most severely affected. On leaves the dark brown or black spots may be small (<1 mm diam.) or larger (up to 4 mm diam.). In the former case freckled areas have a sooty appearance, and streaks or circular areas may form. In the latter case the spots may have fawn or greyish centres with yellowish-green halos. Coalescence of spots occurs and freckle is usually restricted to the older leaves. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in south and east Asia and the Pacific islands; also in east Africa, but the infections caused have not been found in central or south America (53, 797). TRANSMISSION: Conidia water-dispersed.