A major threat for bananas and plantains production is the Panama Disease or Fusarium Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. In order to characterize the causal agents of Fusarium wilt in Mexico, a sampling was performed in symptomatic plantains growing in fields of Oaxaca, a coastal southern state of Mexico. A phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of TEF 1-α and IGS revealed that three isolates belonged to the Fusarium oxysporum species complex, while two other isolates were identified as members of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. Furthermore, isolates from the same complex shared the same ITS2 sequence. Inoculation using spores of each isolate on the roots of Musa sp. AAB cv. Manzano produced wilting symptoms of varying severity, suggesting that the Fusarium wilt might not be caused only by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. PCR-based detection of Secreted in Xylem (SIX) genes showed that each Fusarium isolate harbored a unique combination of genes typically found in banana pathogens, which might cause the disease.
The Fusarium wilt disease of banana caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense is currently considered the most prominent disease that threatens the global fruit production. Control of this pathogen is essential to guarantee the supply of banana fruits. The use of chemical pesticides is a common practice for its control; however, this causes contamination of soils, water and atmosphere, and also affects the human health. The knowledge of natural antagonists of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense is a reliable alternative to develop crop protection strategies. Concerning this, the genus Trichoderma comprises mycoparasitic species adapted to distinct environmental and soil conditions. The features of Trichoderma have enabled its use as an effective biological control agent, but this potential must be extended in order to prevent the economic losses caused by the Fusarium wilt. In this review we present essential information about two contrasting fungal inhabitants of the soil: a group of phytopathogens that produces deleterious consequences in banana plants and its potential antagonists that will provide novel methods of biological control.
Bananas are important crops in developing countries with tropical climate. In Mexico, the banana production has increased, and it must be guaranteed. The Panama disease, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense threatens the current banana production, for what is necessary to implement methods to protect this crop. Fungi from genus Trichoderma are natural residents of the rhizosphere. This genus comprises mycoparasite species used to control diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi, and also benefit plant development. In this report, we present data of the identification and characterization of the novel strain Trichoderma harzianum M110 that displays antagonism and biocontrol potential in laboratory conditions. Exploration of the rhizosphere and the endophytic microbial communities might help to identify microbes adapted to banana plants that can be incorporated in organic biological control formulations that ensure production of Fusarium-free plants and healthy fruits with export quality.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.