Integrated pest management approaches developed in the French West Indies to reduce pesticide use in banana production systems

The monoculture of banana can have a serious detrimental impact on the environment as pesticide treatments can lead to surface and groundwater pollution. Different approaches based on IPM (integrated pest management) have been developed in the French West Indies to reduce the use of the pesticides in banana cultivation. These methods have been developed using management techniques that prevent the build-up of banana pathogens and also eliminate them, non-chemical techniques, such as cultural practices and biological control, and resistant cultivars. As a result, new crop management systems have led to a 65% decrease of pesticide use over the last 10 years. Major results of the research already undertaken and future research that is being considered to reduce pesticide use in banana plantations are reviewed. (Resume d'auteur)