EFFECTS OF THE LEAF SPOT COMPLEX AND LEAF PRUNING ON GROWTH AND YIELD IN HIGHLAND BANANAS: RESULTS OF THE FIRST RATOON CROP

The effects of a leaf spot complex and leaf pruning on plant growth and yield in highland bananas were investigated in a field trial at Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute. Results from the first ratoon crop revealed that the leaf spot complex depressed plant height (3%) and yield (37%) in the highland banana Mbwazirume as compared to fungicide treated plants. Pruning of photosynthetic leaves reduced yield in the highland banana also by 37%. However, in untreated plants the yield reduction by pruning was only 14%.