Influence of a menadione derivative on banana Panama disease development and yield enhancement.

One derivative (Param-A) of a water-soluble compound of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone has been commer- cially launched to induce resistance against Panama disease in bananas, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. This paper reports on a long-term experiment in order to verify the improvements that Param-A can provide in unfavour- able banana culture conditions, such as those of a plantation seriously affected by Panama disease and in a soil with defi- cient drainage and high salinity. The results demonstrated that Param-A sprays decreased disease occurrence and delayed symptom appearance significantly. Sprays of Param-A every 60 days shortened the time from plant flowering to fruit cut- ting, and resulted in significantly higher yields.