Susceptibility of Mycosphaerella fijiensis to Mefentrifluconazole in Industrial Banana Plantations in Côte d'Ivoire : An In vitro Study

Banana Sigatoka, caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis, severely impacts banana production in Côte d'Ivoire. This study evaluates the susceptibility of M. fijiensis isolates to mefentrifluconazole, a new triazole fungicide, compared to difenoconazole. In vitro tests on 17 isolates from industrial plantations revealed IC50 values ranging from 0.005 to 0.073 mg/L (average 0.037 mg/L), indicating high sensitivity. Growth inhibition rates were higher for mefentrifluconazole, demonstrating its superior efficacy. These results suggest mefentrifluconazole as a promising alternative for managing black spot and mitigating resistance development.