Climatic Factors Affecting Post-Harvest Decay of Jamaican Bananas

Abstract

Neck and crown rots of Jamaica-grown bananas (Musa sp.) are caused principally by Colletotrichum musae and Fusarium semitectum. Severity of decay and shrinkage of export fruit were positively correlated with periods of high temperature in the field, but there was no correlation with rainfall. High moisture is known to favour infection, but hot, dry conditions predisposed banana fruits to rapid decay. Control of neck and crown rots should include retardation of disease development by storage at low temperature and high humidity.