First report of Phyllosticta spp. associated with banana freckle disease in southern Lao PDR

A survey of small-holder banana farms was undertaken in February/March 2019 in Savannakhet, Salavan, Sekong and Champasak provinces in southern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to establish which banana leaf pathogens were present. Twenty-five farms were visited, seven different cultivars were assessed, and 13 leaf samples with characteristic symptoms of banana freckle disease collected. Phyllosticta musarum was detected on the variety ‘Kuay Nam’ in each of the four provinces surveyed. Phyllosticta cavendishii was detected in Salavan, Sekong and Champasak. Phyllosticta musaechinesis was recorded from Champasak. This is the first time these three species have been recorded associated with banana freckle disease in the Lao PDR.