Banana plants’ defense against deadly wilting disease may be in the soil
- From
-
Published on
01.03.20
- Impact Area
Fusarium wilt, a soilborne fungal disease popularly known as Panama disease, is one of the most devastating diseases of banana. It is responsible for the crop’s declining yield in the Great Lakes region of Africa, where banana is a major source of food and income for millions of smallholder farmers.
The disease is spread by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), which enters the root systems of banana plants and blocks the uptake of nutrients and water. It causes yellowing of leaves, splitting of the pseudostem, and eventual death of the banana plant. Furthermore, the disease cannot be managed by synthetic pesticides/fungicides and easily spreads through the exchange of planting materials (banana suckers), water, and movement of people and equipment.
Related news
-
SOILutions for Security: CGIAR at the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue
Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program22.10.25-
Biodiversity
-
Environmental health
-
Environmental health & biodiversity
-
Food security
-
Nutrition
From October 21–23, CGIAR will join global partners in Des Moines, Iowa for the 2025…
Read more -
-
Nigeria Commits to Boosting Soil Health for Food Security
Sehlule Muzata20.10.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
-
Food security
Nigeria, Africa’s fourth-largest economy and a key food producer, is launching the Presidential So…
Read more -
-
Infinite Leadership and Market Intelligence in CGIAR Breeding
CGIAR Initiative on Market Intelligence20.10.25-
Food security
Matty Demont (IRRI), Berber Kramer (IFPRI), Robert Andrade (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT), Melanie Conno…
Read more -