Black leaf streak disease (BLSD) or Cercosporiose, caused by the ascomycete fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis (black Sigatoka), is one of the most devastating diseases of banana trees (Musa spp.). It is a major constraint on its production, especially in the humid tropics where banana is a basic food crop. The objective of this work was to study the impact of black leaf streak disease in the Comoros Islands in order to evaluate integrated protection strategies to be developed in banana crops. Field experiments have made it possible to better understand the epidemiological characteristics disease according to seasons and crop systems. It is clear that the seasons thus encountered play an important role in the epidemiology of the disease. The incidence of the disease was slightly lower in the dry season than in the wet season. These results provided new information on the epidemiology of the disease in the Union of Comoros and on the characteristics of the population involved. They were used to establish a list of recommendations aimed at better managing the damage of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, a pathogen with significant evolutionary potential.

Keywords: Black Sigatoka, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, banana, damage, Comoros.