• The disease affects all plant parts.
• Bacteria enter through roots, wounds and sometimes flowers. It grows, spreads and blocks the flow of food and water. This prevents proper growth.
• Affected plants show symptoms (signs) and finally die within a short time (See pictures).
• Other host plants (plants affected by Moko) include ornamentals (e.g. heliconia, red ginger), cocoe, dasheen, tomato,castor bean (“Oil nut”) and some weeds.
  

How is it spread?

• In infested plant parts (root, “trunk”, bunch, fruit/peel, sucker, leaf).
• In infested soil (on shoes, hands, tools [e.g. forks/machetes/knives], animals, runoff water).
• Wind, insects, birds and other animals that visit flowers carry one strain of the disease. This strain will spread much more quickly.

• Inspect fields carefully each week for symptoms.
• If seen, mark the location and immediately report to the nearest RADA, Banana industry or JAS Officer/Office. Do not touch or disturb the suspected plant.
• Do not remove any sucker, corm, fruit or leaf from a field suspected of having the disease.
• Sleeve the bunch and deflower early and break off the “Bull” as soon as the last hand is seen.
• Use twine instead of sticks to prop plants.
• Disinfect all tools used in your field if you suspect that the disease is present. Use household bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) after removing any soil or plant remains present on the tool.
• Disinfest shoes similarly, when coming from an infested field. A spray bottle will make this easier.
• Do not replant any infested field with banana, plantain or any other host listed above. Wait at least one year after infested plants are destroyed before replanting any of these crops. Sweet potato, yam, corn, carrot, cassava and gungo peas can be safely planted instead.
• Do not take any of the named host plants or plant parts from St. James and other western parishes to other growing areas of the island.

Male Flower Death	Early Leaf Yellowing/Wilt	Dark color inside fruits