Effect of induced defoliation on plantain (Musa AAB Harton) productivity and the incidence of Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet)

In order to evaluate the induced defoliation on the plantain productivity, a study was carried out in Colon municipality, Zulia state. Sixteen first week flowering plants were selected. Treatments were carried out as follows: four were let on six leaves (T-1), four with eight leaves (T-2), four with ten leaves (T-3) and four with twelve or more leaves (T-4 : witness), for a total of four treatments with four plants like replicate by following a statistical model totally at random. The plants were harvested at twelve weeks and Black Sigatoka was diagnosed on base to Stover modified scale. Variables measured were: Bunch weight (PR), number of leaves at the moment of harvest (NH/P), number of fingers or fruits per bunch (ND/R), perceptual relationship between fruit weight/bunch weight (PD/PR), fruits morphological characteristics (weight (PF), length (LD) and diameter (DD)). Fruits were classified with base at these characteristics. Agreed with the results obtained, only had significant statistics difference (P<0,05) between T-1 and T-2 in relation to LD. Fruits classification showed that most of produced plantains, have optimal characteristics for national and international market. Healthy diagnostic showed in all plants that in leaves 1, 2 and 3, the injury was less than degree 2; in leaves 4 and 5, 25% of plants showed degree 4 and in leaves 6 and 7, 50% showed degree 4. In conclusion, induced defoliation, almost did not affect neither yield nor quality plants treated fruits.