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Abstract
Black Sigatoka Disease of Bananas/Plantains (causal agent Mycosphaerella
fijiensis) has been reported in Trinidad since 2003. This is a leaf spot disease, and infected plants
generally produce reduced yield of poor quality fruit. Heavily infected plants may produce no yield
at all. It is the most serious disease of bananas/plantains, and control entails expensive application
of chemical fungicides. Tobago was surveyed in May 2005 and the disease was not detected on
the island. Quarantine measures were put in place to prevent its introduction in Tobago. However,
after recent reports of disease symptoms in isolated areas on the island, another survey was
conducted from December 13 to 16 2011. Results showed that Tobago is infected with the disease
but levels of infection vary in different parts of the island, thus suggesting that introduction in
Tobago occurred recently. This is the first report of the disease in Tobago. The impact of Black
Sigatoka Disease on the banana/plantain industry in Tobago, the estimated time and pathways of
introduction together with a proposal for the management of the disease on the island are discussed.