A study looking for additional sources of resistance to the deadly fungal disease of banana, black Sigatoka, has identified 11 new accessions that are potential sources of resistance to Pseudocercospora fijiensis. These accessions are from a collection of banana germplasm maintained by IITA at Sendusu, Wakiso District in Uganda. They can be used to broaden the current narrow genetic base for ongoing efforts to breed bananas with resistance to the disease.
Black Sigatoka, caused by P. fijiensis, is one of the most devastating banana diseases. In commercial banana-growing systems, black Sigatoka is primarily managed using fungicides. However, this method of controlling the disease is not feasible for resource-limited smallholder farmers. Therefore, developing banana varieties resistant to P. fijiensis remains one of the most effective ways to support smallholder farmers to protect their bananas, income, and food security.