An analysis of the risk from Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum to banana cultivation in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa

In bringing together all the known human and environmental factors that affect the incidence and spread of Xanthomonas wilt, it may be possible to map high and low risk areas. A riskmap would help determine the best locations for the placement of disease surveillance resources. Prospects for breeding cultivars that are resistant to Xanthomonas wilt and acceptable to consumers by conventional means are poor due to sterility factors in cultivated banana. The promising early research of a transgenic cultivar resistant to Xanthomonas wilt presents an expedient route for introducing resistance into those cultivars more popular with farmers and consumers. However, any GM approach has to be progressed with the fullest consideration of biosafety and public acceptance of the technology in mind. The current guideline for control, with the strong emphasis on raising awareness on the symptoms of Xanthomonas wilt amongst rural population and advocacy of de-budding as the main line for control, is showing success, especially where farmers act collectively to address the disease. The value of involving grass-root organisations, such as non-government organisations (NGOs), in galvanising a government response towards raising awareness amongst rural communities to Xanthomonas wilt has been shown.