Screening for resistance against the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Banana bunchy top virus (genus, Babuvirus) in Musa genotypes in Central Africa.

Banana and plantain (Musa spp) represent an important food and cash crop worldwide. Their cultivation faces many pest and disease constraints amongst which banana bunchy top disease (BBTD). Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV, genus Babuvirus), the causal agent of BBTD is transmitted persistently by the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Information regarding aphid’s preference to Musa genotypes is yet scanty whereas a high level of resistance to BBTD is not yet found. This study was undertaken to assess the susceptibility of different Musa genotypes from different genomic composition to banana aphid and BBTV. Experimental infestation with banana aphid was done on 38 Musa genotypes in screenhouse while 44 Musa genotypes were planted in BBTD affected area and assessed for 36 months under natural infestation and infection by the aphid vector. Results showed significant differences in the performance of banana aphid between Musa genotypes. In the screenhouse, the diploid Calcutta 4 (AA) and Ney Poovan (AB) were the least suitable to aphid growth while AAB triploids (Waema, Ebang) were the most suitable to aphid growth. In natural conditions, AAB genotypes (Batard, Ebang, Essong, Elat) and AAAB tetraploid hybrids (CRBP 39, CRBP 969), were highly suitable to banana aphid and susceptible to BBTD. Meantime, AA diploids (Tapo, Pisang Tongat, Figue Sucree), the triploids Yangambi Km 5 and FHIA 25 were less suitable banana aphid and highly susceptible to BBTD with 100.0 % infection observed on Tapo. The tetraploid Balonkawe (ABBB), the AAB triloid PITA 21, the wild diploids Calcutta 4 (AA) and Balbisiana Los Banos (BB) escaped to BBTV infection at 36 MAP. Knowledge of genotype response to banana aphid and BBTD is useful in the selection of promising lines towards breeding varieties with resistance to BBTD.