Banana Blood Disease Also Spreads in Lembata

The banana blood disease has also spread to Lamalela Village, Lebatukan District, Lembata. This was revealed by the Acting Head of the Agriculture and Food Security Office (Distan Pangan) of Lembata, Muktar Hada.

Muktar explained that Distan Pangan Lembata initially received reports of banana plants affected by disease in Lamalela Village. The report was then identified by officers from the Plant Pest Control (POPT) in Lebatukan.

“After identification by the POPT Lebatukan officers, the results showed that the banana plants had been attacked by banana blood disease,” said Muktar to detikBali on Tuesday (12/5/2026).

Muktar hopes for support in socialising efforts to handle banana blood disease. Currently, he is only providing advice to the community.

“Farmers and residents with banana gardens are urged to prevent it through garden sanitation, eradication, and cutting the banana heart after the last fruit bunch,” requested Muktar.

Muktar also asked farmers to sanitise tools by cleaning them with disinfectant or soap. If there are buyers of bananas from outside, they should be encouraged to use the farmers’ own tools. Farmers are also advised to utilise the biological agent Trichoderma sp.

Muktar stated that banana blood disease is a dangerous disease caused by the bacterium Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis. The symptoms of the attack include banana leaves turning yellow, the base of the leaves breaking, leaves hanging around the stem and drying up.

“The suckers of banana plants show wilting symptoms, the banana heart appears dry, wrinkled, and blackens. If the stem is cut, necrosis appears that is brownish-red and exudes mucus that is white to brownish-red,” explained Muktar.

As is known, banana blood disease does not only affect Lembata. This plant disease also attacks bananas in East Flores. At least three villages in Wulanggitang District, East Flores, are impacted by the disease caused by this bacterial infection.