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The soil-borne fungus F. oxysporum forma specialis cubense (Foc), causing fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), is one of the most devastating diseases affecting banana. The fungus has a polyphyletic origin and strains and races have evolved with different wild banana species in various areas of the Indo-Malayan region, from where it has spread to other banana-growing areas via infected planting material. The management of FWB is based on the exclusion of the pathogen through the use of clean planting material, disinfection of tools and machinery, and the use of resistant varieties. Prior to 1960, Foc Race 1 (R1) destroyed the export trade based on the cultivar Gros Michel, which was replaced by Cavendish cultivars, which are resistant to Foc R1. Cavendish cultivars now account for over 50% of the world’s banana production. However, R1 is still a major issue for subsistence agriculture in America, Asia, and Africa. This chapter reviews the history, epidemiology, and management of Foc R1 and R2.
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Disease symptoms
- 3 Pathogen characteristics
- 4 Disease cycle and epidemiology
- 5 Disease occurrence and impact
- 6 Disease resistance: cultivar susceptibility and host resistance
- 7 Management of the disease
- 8 Conclusion and future trends
- 9 Where to look for further information
- 10 References