Abstract

Banana plantations in Burkina Faso are confronted with climatic hazards and parasitic attacks resulting in a considerable yield drop. Unfortunately, few studies have been devoted to banana leaf diseases. This study was initiated to characterize the major foliar fungal pathogens that hinder the development of this crop in the Centre region. Four communes were involved which are Koubri, Loumbila, Pabré, and Tanghin-Dassouri, where a total of eighty samples of symptomatic leaves only were taken at random. From the different analyses, seven genera which are Alternaria, Bipolaris, Mycosphaerella, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Exserohilum, and Fusarium, and fifteen species were identified. In terms of diversity, the commune of Koubri contains fourteen of the species identified, but the commune of Tanghin-Dassouri has the highest infestation rate (42.52%). The high prevalence of the disease in the commune of Tanghin-Dassouri could be explained by environmental conditions because in this site banana production is done in the shallows. To improve banana production in the central region of the country, it is imperative that studies be carried out to gain an exhaustive knowledge of the harmful fungi in this sector and that prophylactic measures be taught to all producers in order to promote the sector.

Key words: Pathogenic fungi, leaves, banana, Kadiogo province, Burkina Faso.