Panama Disease TR4 caused by single clone, researchers find Details Discovered at: http://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2015/11/24/panama-disease-tr4-caused-b… Sites: IBIS PH Publish date: Tue 2015-Nov-24 Author: Edward Vernon Channel: Industry Text (summary): November 24th, 2015 The same clone of the Fusarium fungus is infecting Cavendish bananas in several countries across the world, according to scientists at Wageningen University & Research (UR) centre. They say this shows the Fusarium clone, also known as Panama Disease Tropical Race IV (TR4), is continuing to spread despite global quarantine measures. Panama is caused by the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense fungus, with the TR4 strain infecting many local banana varieties as well as the widely exported and highly susceptible Cavendish. The soil-borne fungus enters the banana plant through the root and eventually kills the entire plant. Banana-growing plots infested with the fungus remain contaminated for many years. Large areas of banana plantations in countries such as Jordan, Mozambique, China, the Philippines, Pakistan and Australia are no longer suitable for banana farming as they have become infested with TR4. There are currently no means of combating the disease; only quarantine measures can prevent banana plantations from becoming infested. DNA investigation Locations Discovery Original language: English Original title: Panama Disease TR4 caused by single clone, researchers find Original text (summary): November 24th, 2015 The same clone of the Fusarium fungus is infecting Cavendish bananas in several countries across the world, according to scientists at Wageningen University & Research (UR) centre. They say this shows the Fusarium clone, also known as Panama Disease Tropical Race IV (TR4), is continuing to spread despite global quarantine measures. Panama is caused by the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense fungus, with the TR4 strain infecting many local banana varieties as well as the widely exported and highly susceptible Cavendish. The soil-borne fungus enters the banana plant through the root and eventually kills the entire plant. Banana-growing plots infested with the fungus remain contaminated for many years. Large areas of banana plantations in countries such as Jordan, Mozambique, China, the Philippines, Pakistan and Australia are no longer suitable for banana farming as they have become infested with TR4. There are currently no means of combating the disease; only quarantine measures can prevent banana plantations from becoming infested. DNA investigation Issues Issue(s) that this article relates to, if applicable. Issue Status Start 2013 – 2015 World banana emergency – the perfect storm ongoing Panama disease incursion in North Queensland 2015 emerging Workflow Status: Promoted
