High Alert as Another Banana Disease is In The Region

By Admin. Updated 12:59 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

After losing millions of dollars due to Black Sigatoka, also known as black leaf streak disease or BLSD, the Caribbean region is again on the alert as another disease is present in South America.

Officials in Jamaica and the Caribbean are on the alert after the presence of the Tropical race 4 (TR4) Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense was discovered in Venezuela.

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, said that TR4 is not in Jamaica, and it is “very important” to keep it out of the country, the Jamaica Observer reported today (May 21).

The Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute – CARDI said on its website the disease is considered one of the most destructive diseases of banana in the world.

The Tropical race 4 (TR4) is the latest race of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense. It is a soil-borne pathogen that attacks the roots of the banana causing the Banana Fusarium Wilt disease by clogging its vascular system.

No effective control measure has been identified that can eradicate the pathogen once it is established in the soil. The pathogen can remain in the soil for decades even in the absence of a host plant. Once established in a banana field, total loss of yield can result, CARDI said.