**Efficacy and responses activated by defense-inducing molecules in banana (Musa AAA) against the fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis in the Urabá Subregion** **Diana Cristina Henao Ochoa** **Abstract** Black Sigatoka, caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis, is considered the most devastating foliar disease in banana cultivation. The current management of the disease consists of a mixture of cultural and chemical strategies, including phytosanitary defoliation and application of fungicides, which over the years and increased applications have been selecting resistant populations to different chemical groups. Due to this, the study and implementation of an alternative strategy for the management of the disease is proposed, based on the foliar application of defense inducers, which activate the resistance mechanisms of the plants. To address this strategy, direct inhibition tests were carried out on different defense-inducing compounds against two strains of P. fijiensis (C139 and Pf022101), where no significant direct inhibition on the fungus was observed. Additionally, the controlling capacity of 5 defense-inducing molecules was evaluated in experimental banana plots located in Apartadó (Antioquia) with natural pathogen infection, resulting in the selection of 3 potential compounds for the management of the disease. Additionally, the effectiveness of the inclusion of the 3 defense-inducing molecules in a commercial disease management plan was determined, showing that the evaluated compounds could replace at least 3 application cycles of chemically synthesized fungicides, maintaining the impact of the disease at levels equal to or lower than the complete fungicide application plans. **Keywords**: Elicitors, Induced resistance, Black Sigatoka, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, Musaceae.**Efficacy and responses activated by defense-inducing molecules in banana (Musa AAA) against the fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis in the Urabá Subregion** **Diana Cristina Henao Ochoa** **Abstract** Black Sigatoka, caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis, is considered the most devastating foliar disease in banana cultivation. The current management of the disease consists of a mixture of cultural and chemical strategies, including phytosanitary defoliation and application of fungicides, which over the years and increased applications have been selecting resistant populations to different chemical groups. Due to this, the study and implementation of an alternative strategy for the management of the disease is proposed, based on the foliar application of defense inducers, which activate the resistance mechanisms of the plants. To address this strategy, direct inhibition tests were carried out on different defense-inducing compounds against two strains of P. fijiensis (C139 and Pf022101), where no significant direct inhibition on the fungus was observed. Additionally, the controlling capacity of 5 defense-inducing molecules was evaluated in experimental banana plots located in Apartadó (Antioquia) with natural pathogen infection, resulting in the selection of 3 potential compounds for the management of the disease. Additionally, the effectiveness of the inclusion of the 3 defense-inducing molecules in a commercial disease management plan was determined, showing that the evaluated compounds could replace at least 3 application cycles of chemically synthesized fungicides, maintaining the impact of the disease at levels equal to or lower than the complete fungicide application plans. **Keywords**: Elicitors, Induced resistance, Black Sigatoka, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, Musaceae.