Earlier this year, former Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Abiodun Adeloye, called for closed observation following reports of disease attacks on the banana sector.


Currently there is another outbreak of Panama disease that is caused by the so-called Tropical Race 4 (TR4). This new vicious race of Panama disease is extremely virulent, widely infecting banana germplasm destined for domestic and international markets, including Cavendish, and spreads rapidly in South East Asia, Latin America and Africa.The panama disease (Fusarium Wilt) recently stroked towards the end of last year affecting several banana fields all over the world, most especially the continent of Africa. Countries like Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Mozambique were badly hit by the outbreak of this deadly banana disease.

Bananas are serious business. Around the world, roughly 145 million tons of bananas are grown each year. In some areas, they are a staple food; in the East African highlands, people consume them several times a day.  The kind of banana found in most global supermarkets is called the Cavendish. Unfortunately, a new and virulent strain of the fungus behind Panama disease is now on the loose. Cavendish bananas are very vulnerable to it; scientists aren't sure yet how many other varieties are susceptible. Known as Tropical race 4, it’s the most critical menace to bananas globally. This illness, caused by the Fusarium fungus, was first spotted in Taiwan in 1967. In recent years, however, it has spread alarmingly. The fungus has swept through Asia and Africa, with devastating impacts on the Chinese banana industry.

WHAT IS PANAMA DISEASE?

Panama disease is a plant disease of the roots of banana plants. It is a type of Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. The pathogen is resistant to fungicide and cannot be controlled chemically. This is a soil-borne fungal disease and gets entry in the plant body through roots. It is most serious in poorly drained soil. Initial symptoms are yellowing of lower leaves, including leaf blades and petioles. The leaves hang around the pseudostem and wither. In the pseudostem of the diseased plant, yellowish to reddish streaks are noted with intensification of colour towards the rhizome.

The fungus invades a plant by infecting its roots and then moving up through the xylem, the tissue that transports water and nutrients. With its xylem blocked up, the plant wilts and dies. Fusarium is sneaky, too—the spores can linger in the soil for decades, waiting to infect new banana plants. If unchecked, Tropical Race 4 could kill 80 percent of the bananas grown each year, researchers have predicted. Warm soil temperature, poor drainage, light soils and high soil moisture are congenial for the spread of the disease.

HOW PANAMA DISEASE IS TRANSMITTED IN BANANA PLANT
The pathogen can be transmitted through planting materials, movement of infested soil particles through any means such as shoes, vehicles or through water. The fungus is able to remain dormant in the soil for decades. For these reasons, Tropical race four (TR4) is considered as the world’s greatest threat to banana production.

Profile of fusarium wilt (Tropical race 4) has the following profile:

http://armi.com.ng/deadly-panama-disease-fusarium-wilt-in-banana-attacks-again/

So e b like hiv. No cure?