Banana disease confirmed
on eastern Big IsleAgriculture officials are examining the
extent of the bunchy-top virus
The banana bunchy-top virus has been confirmed for the first time on the Big Island's east side, the state's main banana-producing region.
The state Department of Agriculture is checking banana plants at Keaau Banana Plantation, one of the state's largest banana growers, and at surrounding banana farms to determine the extent of the disease's presence, said Kyle Onuma, of the department's Hilo office.
Richard Ha, president of Keaau Banana Plantation, said yesterday he believes about 35 acres of Williams bananas on his 200-acre plantation might have the disease.
Ha said he will meet with Agriculture Department and University of Hawaii experts on how to cope with the disease next week. "I think we can deal with it," he said.
"If banana bunchy-top virus is found to be widespread in Keaau, it could severely impact the state's $8.4 million banana industry," said state Agriculture Chairwoman Sandra Lee Kunimoto. "We ask the cooperation of area banana farmers, as well as residents who have backyard banana plants, in allowing the Department of Agriculture personnel to check their plants for the disease so we can determine the extent of the problem."
Banana bunchy-top virus stunts growth in the banana plant's crown, giving it a bunchy appearance. Younger leaves might have yellowish, curling edges; and lower leaf stems and midribs might have streaks, blotches or a "Morse code" pattern, according to the Agriculture Department. Infected plants produce deformed and stunted fruit and eventually do not produce fruit.
The disease is transmitted by banana aphids, and there is no known cure. Plants with the disease are treated for aphids and destroyed, Onuma said.
Since 1999 more than 175,000 banana plants have been eradicated in North Kona after the banana bunchy-top virus was discovered there. The virus also is present on Kauai from Hanalei to Lawai; on Maui in Pukalani and Makawao; and widespread on Oahu.
Banana production in 2002, the most recent year for which figures were available, was: Big Island, 815 acres, $6.34 million in sales; Oahu, 460 acres, $1.46 million in sales; Maui, 85 acres, $330,000 in sales; and Kauai, 80 acres, $256,000 in sales.
Statewide production of bananas was 19.5 million pounds in 2002. Oahu production is less per acre than the Big Island because of the bunchy-top virus, said agriculture spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi.
Anyone on the Big Island who suspects they have a banana plant with the disease is urged to call the Hilo office of the Department of Agriculture at 974-4140.