VIRUSES THAT THREATEN BANANA AND PLANTAIN PRODUCTION IN THE CARRIBEAN

Virus diseases that have the potential to cause significant damage to banana and plantain production in the Caribbean fall into two categories: those that are not known to be present in the region and those that are present but have not been investigated in detail. The first group includes Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) and Banana bract mosaic virus (BBrMV), while Banana streak virus (BSV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Banana mild mosaic virus (BanMMV) and similar unidentified viruses comprise the second group. It is of the highest importance to prevent the introduction of BBTV and BBrMV, which can be spread rapidly by their aphid vector Pentalonia nigronervosa, which occurs throughout the region. Additional research on the incidence and impact of BSV, BanMMV, and other unidentified viruses would be of value.