Global Plant Protection News

Thursday, August 15, 2019 Notification

First detection of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) in South America
Source: Science
Event:  Detection

In June of 2019, Musa sp. (banana) plants in four plantations in Colombia exhibited symptoms suggestive of Panama disease of banana. Molecular analyses confirmed that the causal agent was the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales). Phytosanitary measures have been implemented and a national emergency has been declared in Colombia. This is the first detection of TR4 in South America.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, causal agent of Panama disease of banana, primarily infects Musa spp., causing severe foliar chlorosis, petiole collapse, pseudostem splitting, and plant death. TR4 has been reported from Mozambique, parts of the Middle East and Asia, and Australia and is not known to occur in the United States. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense is a soil-borne fungus and can be transmitted through infected plants, irrigation water, and contaminated equipment. The PEST ID database lists Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense as reportable (queried 8/14/19).

References:

1. Galvis, S. 2019. Colombia confirms that dreaded fungus has hit its banana plantations. August 12, 2019. Science DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz1033. Last accessed August 15, 2019, from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/08/colombia-confirms-dreaded-fungus-has-hit-its-banana-plantations.
2. Stokstad, E. 2019. Banana fungus puts Latin America on alert. July 17, 2019. Science 365(6450):207-208. Last accessed August 15, 2019, from https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6450/207.

Other PestLens articles about this pest:
Outbreak of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales) in Israel
First detection of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales) in the United Kingdom
First reports of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales) in Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar
Detection and eradication of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales) in Israel
First report of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4 (Tropical race 4) (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales) in Pakistan and Lebanon

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