Fusarium wilt of banana, also known as Panama disease is a destructive fungal disease caused by the soil-borne fungus – Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). There are four races of the fungus:
The first external symptom of Panama disease is the irregular yellowing of the margins of older leaves, which later turn brown and dry out. These leaves eventually collapse along the leaf stalk or at the junction of the stalk and stem, resulting in a skirt of dead leaves forming around the lower part of the plant. Heart leaves may remain unusually upright giving the plant a spiky appearance. Following this, plants show a generally wilted appearance.
Internal symptoms of Panama include brownish discolouration of the inner tissue in the corm and pseudostem. The easiest way to observe these symptoms is to cut through the pseudostem near ground level. The discolouration is usually seen as reddish-brown or black lines running up and down the pseudostem, or rings running around the cross section of tissue. Affected plants rarely produce marketable bunches.
The map below shows the global distribution of Fusarium wilt (Not specifically Tropical race 4)
The most important measures to adopt at present are to:
But please remember that:
Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 is currently not present in the Caribbean and everything possible must be done to keep this disease out of the Region.
Fusarium Wilt Brochure | 876 KB |
Fusarium Wilt, Tropical Race 4 Awareness Webinar in recognition of World Pest Awareness Day On June 7th, 2021, the USDA APHIS-IS Trinidad Office in collaboration with the CPHD Forum’s Musa Technical Working Group (TWG) hosted a webinar entitled, “Raising the Caribbean’s Awareness on Fusarium Wilt, Tropical Race 4”, in acknowledgement of World Pest Awareness Day […]
Read MoreIPSA Nicaragua Drill for the Possible Outbreak of TR4 The Institute for Protection and Agricultural Health (IPSA) of Nicaragua has implemented a series of processes to prevent the entry of Fusarium Wilt of Banana – Tropical Race 4 as well as a national drill of action for the strengthening of surveillance and prevention capabilities against a possible […]
Read MoreTechnical Cooperation Programme (TCP) “Strengthening regional capacities for surveillance, prevention and management of Fusarium wilt of banana, caused by the Tropical race 4 of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc TR4)” – held in Panama City, Panama Duration: 17th -19th February 2020 Bananas represent an important commodity to both food security and rural sector of […]
Read MoreFirst report of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) in Mayotte (French island near Madagascar) The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of France recently informed the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Secretariat of the first finding of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4 in Mayotte (overseas territory). The pathogen was detected […]
Read More“TR4, is a strain of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) fungus. Foc has been known to cause Panama disease in bananas since the early 20th century, and has caused major yield loss in bananas, an important staple food in many countries. The spread of TR4 is of major concern as it affects the Cavendish […]
Read MoreFusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) “What We Really Know About This Disease and Its Impacts” FruiTrop is an economic research unit set up within the CIRAD , a French research center which, together with the countries of the South, responds to the international challenges of agriculture and development. They’ve published a very informative magazine issue on […]
Read More“Jamaica is restricting the importation of banana, plantains and any relatives of the plant family as the country is now on high alert for the Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease, previously called Panama Disease, which attacks the crops.” as reported in the Jamaica Gleaner. Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw, emphasised that the disease is not in Jamaica, […]
Read MoreAccording to ScienceMag.org, TR4 has been confirmed in Colombia: “Colombia has declared a national state of emergency following confirmation that a dread fungus has appeared in the country’s banana plantations. The 8 August declaration marks the first time that Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4), which has devastated crops in Asia, has been confirmed in […]
Read MoreFusarium Wilt of Banana and Plantain: A Threat to Regional Economies and Food Security OECS Media Statement Fusarium wilt of bananas, commonly known as Panama disease, is a destructive soil borne fungus that poses a threat to the production of all banana and plantain crops. Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 has reappeared and is […]
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