National Banana Research Program

To date, viruses that have been identified as pathogens in banana (Musa spp.) are abaca mosaic potyvirus (AbMV), banana bract mosaic potyvirus (BBMV), banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), and banana streak badnavirus (BSV). Of these five viruses, BSV is reported to be the major virus problem affecting banana production in Uganda. The other four cause yield losses of considerable economic importance in various banana cultivars (Stover 1972).

Banana Streak virus (BSV)
Banana streak virus disease is a serious disease of bananas that occurs worldwide. Symptoms indicative of the disease were initially reported in Ivory Coast in 1974. The casual agent of banana streak disease is a virus. Like other viruses, BSV has no known chemical control. The disease occurs in at least 16 African countries and causes crop losses. Surveys conducted in Uganda in 1996 and more recently (2001) by the National Banana Research Programme (NBRP), showed that the disease is prevalent in all the major banana producing areas of Uganda. All banana types are affected by the disease. The cooking bananas (East African Highland bananas) are seriously affected by BSV, and therefore, it is a threat to food security and household incomes in banana producing areas.