Edaphoclimatic factors related to vulnerability to Moko (Ralstonia solanacearum race 2) in Musaceae production systems in Colombia

Abstract

Ralstonia solanacearum race 2, the causal agent of Moko disease, is considered one of the most significant phytosanitary threats to Musaceae production in Colombia and Latin America, given its severe economic impact due to the loss of plantations and the reduced productive capacity of affected areas. This study aimed to map soil vulnerability to Moko disease in Colombia by integrating climatic and edaphic variables, disease surveillance data for existing outbreaks, and information on Musaceae production units nationwide. Climate and soil databases at national and international levels and expert judgment methodology were used for vulnerability analyses. The results show that, considering climatic and edaphic factors, 90.83 % of the territory exhibits areas of high and very high vulnerability. However, when banana and plantain production units are included in the final vulnerability map, this figure drops to 49.91 % of the territory. A vulnerability ranking was obtained based on the potential incidence of Moko disease. Banana-producing departments such as Magdalena, Antioquia, and Valle del Cauca, as well as plantain-producing departments like Meta, Arauca, Casanare, Córdoba, Sucre, and Chocó, showed high and very high vulnerability indices, these are all representative of the main producing areas of both crops at the national level. It was also found that acids soil, with low organic carbon, poor drainage, and high temperatures and rainfall, show high levels of vulnerability to Moko under conditions of the main banana and plantain production areas of Colombia.