Organic Approaches in Pest and Disease Management of Cavendish Banana in the Philippines: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The Cavendish banana (Musa spp.) is a major export and staple fruit crop in the Philippines and remains important to food security, rural livelihoods, and the national economy. Its production is constrained by insect pests, nematodes, and destructive diseases, especially Black Sigatoka, Fusarium wilt including Tropical Race 4, and bacterial wilt. This review synthesizes current literature on organic and integrated pest and disease management approaches for Cavendish banana production in the Philippines across major stages of cultivation, including land preparation, nursery management, planting and crop care, fruit care, nutrient management, and disease-specific interventions. The review highlights the value of disease-free planting materials, compost and organic amendments, balanced nutrition, mulching, sanitation, crop and canopy management, and biological control agents such as Trichoderma, Bacillus, and entomopathogenic fungi. It also examines organic fruit care practices, including deflowering, defingering, biodegradable bagging, and leaf pruning. The synthesis shows that although organic systems may require greater labor and may initially produce lower yields than conventional systems, they offer long-term advantages through improved soil health, reduced chemical dependence, enhanced ecological balance, and better production resilience. Major constraints to wider adoption include variable pest pressure, inconsistent access to validated biological inputs, and limited farmer training. Overall, organic and integrated approaches provide a practical pathway toward more sustainable Cavendish banana production in the Philippines while maintaining acceptable productivity and fruit quality.