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In Asia and Latin America, there are a number of threats challenging the daily farm operations of banana producers. At the 6th International Banana Congress, which is taking place on April 19 to 22, 2016 in Miami, Florida, USA, Bayer is showcasing its broad portfolio of products and solutions that support the success and sustainability of the banana industry.
Experts from the company are presenting recent product innovations in the area of disease and pest control and root health management as well as novel approaches that contribute to safeguarding a high-quality fruit supply.
Bayer’s strategic approach is based on delivering integrated solutions for the banana industry that create superior value. Global Fruit Crop Manager at the Crop Science division of Bayer, Kai Wirtz said “Fungal diseases and nematodes are giving banana growers around the globe a hard time. We are committed to supporting them in addressing their daily challenges as they strive to get the very best out of their plantations.”
A key focus of Bayer’s banana experts is on developing holistic solutions for root health management as this is a growing concern of producers. A stressed and damaged root-system can reduce the vigor of plants, negatively impact the quality of harvested produce and lead to significant yield losses. Scientists at Bayer are addressing this new area of research to better understand the complex processes in the soil and develop new solutions to effectively control nematodes, soil-borne pathogens and soil pests and strengthen the roots.
Another threat for banana producers is Black Sigatoka. Caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis, it is the most devastating disease in bananas and present in all banana-producing countries. Without proper treatment it can lead to reduced productivity of up to 50 percent and increase the risk of fungicide resistance. With its ‘Bunch of Solutions’ concept Bayer has developed an approach to ensure high-level disease control and at the same time reduce the number of applications and crop protection input costs for growers.
A major challenge for banana growers in Asia is the occurrence of a new strain of the Panama Disease which infects the plant root system and is caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. An interdisciplinary research and education fund (INREF) under the lead of the University of Wageningen addresses the management and containment of Panama Disease in global banana production under different production settings. It aims at the development and implementation of innovative tools and methods to manage the Panama Disease and to contain the vicious new strain.
To ensure the supply of high-quality bananas that are produced in a sustainable way, Bayer collaborates with food chain partners along the banana value chain from growers to traders and retailers. The objective of Bayer’s Food Chain Partnership projects is to enable safety, quality, affordability, transparency and above all sustainability from the plantation to the supermarket.
Source: http://www.bayer.com/