Current state of Fusarium wilt of banana in the subtropics

Abstract

Subtropically grown bananas have differential interactions with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), causal agent of Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), when compared with those grown in the tropics. The designation 'subtropical' race 4 (SR4) was assigned to Foc strains able to infect Cavendish (AAA) cultivars in the subtropics, but not in the tropics. 'Tropical' race 4 (TR4) gained prominence with the appearance and spread of a Foc strain that severely affects Cavendish bananas in both the tropics and subtropics. Recent surveys in Asia revealed TR4 as the predominant strain both in the tropics and subtropics, affecting not only Cavendish, but also many other cultivars. In many subtropical banana zones, Foc races 1 and 2, which complete the racial structure of Foc, are also found and cause severe losses in certain market-preferred dessert bananas. Environmental constraints increase the susceptibility of Cavendish bananas to SR4. However, the role of abiotic stresses in cultivar susceptibility to FWB needs to be better understood. It is not clear why some Foc strains only affect Cavendish in the subtropics, and what other factors, including pathogen virulence and microbial functional diversity, might be driving disease epidemics. Field experience suggests that optimum soil and water management strategies can reduce disease intensity, but targeted studies are needed to understand the virulence of different strains, the impact of fluctuating temperatures, soil pH, organic matter breakdown and soil microbial dynamics. Research findings on the epidemiology and management of FWB in Australia, Brazil, China, India and South Africa are discussed to propose priority areas for the development of improved disease management practices.

Chromosome reciprocal translocations have accompanied subspecies evolution in bananas

“…Banana breeding programs are particularly hard to manage as a result of the low hybrid fertility rates, as well as the large size of banana plants, requiring large fields for selection trials. Improving their efficiency is of high priority considering the current global outbreak of Fusarium tropical race 4 (TR4) that is seriously endangering this crop (Dita et al ., 2020) and given the massive use of pesticides to control other diseases (de Lapeyre de Bellaire et al, 2010).…”

The Banana Root Endophytome: Differences between Mother Plants and Suckers and Evaluation of Selected Bacteria to Control Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense

“…Nowadays, TR4 has been detected in several banana-producing countries, and its steady and alarming spread has raised a huge concern among producers and in the banana industry [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Thus, research and crop management efforts are currently ongoing to prevent the propagation of the disease, which can seriously compromise the future of this staple food [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Currently, FWB incidence in these islands ranges from 2 to 12%, although occasional disease incidences affecting up to 30% of the plants have been reported in some areas [ 14 , 24 ]. Fortunately, TR4 has not yet been detected in the archipelago, and only attacks by STR4 have been reported [ 6 , 23 ].…”

“…once established within the xylem; and (iii) easily spread by banana vegetative propagation material, soil, workers, machinery, irrigation water, etc. Moreover, the Cavendish banana monoculture expansion favors the dispersion of the disease, which is a particularly concerning scenario when TR4 is present [ 12 , 14 , 23 , 25 ]. Thus, an integrated disease management strategy is the best option to mitigate the impact of FWB on susceptible varieties and to increase the durability of available resistant varieties [ 2 , 7 ].…”

Bananos (Musa AAA): Importancia, producción y comercio en tiempos de Covid-19

“…De igual manera, otras limitaciones fitosanitarias como Moko (Ralstonia solanacearum) y pudricion bacterial por Erwinia (Erwinia sp. ), pueden aumentar su nivel de agresividad, dado los cambios o alteraciones de las condiciones climáticas (Dita et al, 2020;Martínez-Solórzano et al, 2020). También existen otras amenazas potenciales o emergentes, que deben ser consideradas como peligro latente y que se indican a continuación:…”