Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management
Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by the soil-borne fungu Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), poses an undeniable threat to global banana production. This disease has intensified in recent years, with the tropical race 4 (TR4) strain spreading rapidly. Since 2018, the number of affected cou...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
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Frontiers Media
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151593 |
| _version_ | 1855523958636412928 |
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| author | Munhoz, Thayne Vargas, Jorge Teixeira, Luiz Staver, Charles Dita, Miguel |
| author_browse | Dita, Miguel Munhoz, Thayne Staver, Charles Teixeira, Luiz Vargas, Jorge |
| author_facet | Munhoz, Thayne Vargas, Jorge Teixeira, Luiz Staver, Charles Dita, Miguel |
| author_sort | Munhoz, Thayne |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by the soil-borne fungu Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), poses an undeniable threat to global banana production. This disease has intensified in recent years, with the tropical race 4 (TR4) strain spreading rapidly. Since 2018, the number of affected countries has increased from 16 to 23, presenting a significant challenge to researchers, producers, and National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) worldwide. The potential impact of TR4 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is particularly concerning. This region boasts seven of the top ten banana-exporting countries, and bananas and plantains are crucial for food security and income generation. In Colombia, where TR4 was detected in 2019, the disease has already spread from La Guajira to Magdalena, and it is currently affecting 20 large commercial export farms. In Peru, the disease was detected in 2021 and although still restricted to the northern region, flood irrigation and heavy rains associated with the Yaku cyclone, boosted pathogen spread, and more than 400 small organic banana farmers are currently affected. In Venezuela, TR4 detection occurred in 2023, with plantations across three states and five municipalities now affected. Worryingly, TR4 has also been confirmed in plantains, a staple food in the region. Current national responses in LAC primarily rely on preventive and reactive measures: preventing initial incursions and containing outbreaks to avoid further spread. However, the disease’s relentless progression suggests that its eventual presence in all banana-producing areas is likely. Therefore, exploring alternative management approaches beyond pathogen exclusion becomes crucial, both in affected and disease-free regions. This paper examines the current spread of TR4, focusing on epidemiological aspects and recent research-based management options. Key epidemiological features were highlighted, drawing practical examples from various scales (plots to landscapes) and utilizing experiences from LAC’s fight against TR4. The paper also reviews field-tested approaches in biosecurity, biological control, resistant varieties, soil health, and integrated disease management, acknowledging the specific challenges faced by smallholder settings. In each section research initiatives were analyzed, identifying gaps, and proposing directions to minimize TR4 impact and accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for managing this devastating disease. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace151593 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publishDateRange | 2024 |
| publishDateSort | 2024 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media |
| publisherStr | Frontiers Media |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1515932025-12-08T10:29:22Z Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management Munhoz, Thayne Vargas, Jorge Teixeira, Luiz Staver, Charles Dita, Miguel evaluation crop production bananas sustainable agriculture pathogens food security plantains plant diseases musa (bananas) fusarium wilt disease management fusarium oxysporum soil quality-soil health plant disease control income generation biological control musa (plantains) biological control agents flood irrigation Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by the soil-borne fungu Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), poses an undeniable threat to global banana production. This disease has intensified in recent years, with the tropical race 4 (TR4) strain spreading rapidly. Since 2018, the number of affected countries has increased from 16 to 23, presenting a significant challenge to researchers, producers, and National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) worldwide. The potential impact of TR4 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is particularly concerning. This region boasts seven of the top ten banana-exporting countries, and bananas and plantains are crucial for food security and income generation. In Colombia, where TR4 was detected in 2019, the disease has already spread from La Guajira to Magdalena, and it is currently affecting 20 large commercial export farms. In Peru, the disease was detected in 2021 and although still restricted to the northern region, flood irrigation and heavy rains associated with the Yaku cyclone, boosted pathogen spread, and more than 400 small organic banana farmers are currently affected. In Venezuela, TR4 detection occurred in 2023, with plantations across three states and five municipalities now affected. Worryingly, TR4 has also been confirmed in plantains, a staple food in the region. Current national responses in LAC primarily rely on preventive and reactive measures: preventing initial incursions and containing outbreaks to avoid further spread. However, the disease’s relentless progression suggests that its eventual presence in all banana-producing areas is likely. Therefore, exploring alternative management approaches beyond pathogen exclusion becomes crucial, both in affected and disease-free regions. This paper examines the current spread of TR4, focusing on epidemiological aspects and recent research-based management options. Key epidemiological features were highlighted, drawing practical examples from various scales (plots to landscapes) and utilizing experiences from LAC’s fight against TR4. The paper also reviews field-tested approaches in biosecurity, biological control, resistant varieties, soil health, and integrated disease management, acknowledging the specific challenges faced by smallholder settings. In each section research initiatives were analyzed, identifying gaps, and proposing directions to minimize TR4 impact and accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for managing this devastating disease. 2024-07-16 2024-08-08T19:28:43Z 2024-08-08T19:28:43Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151593 en Open Access application/pdf Frontiers Media Munhoz, T.; Vargas, J.; Teixeira, L.; Staver, C.; Dita, M. (2024) Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management. Frontiers in Plant Science 15:1397617. ISSN: 1664-462X |
| spellingShingle | evaluation crop production bananas sustainable agriculture pathogens food security plantains plant diseases musa (bananas) fusarium wilt disease management fusarium oxysporum soil quality-soil health plant disease control income generation biological control musa (plantains) biological control agents flood irrigation Munhoz, Thayne Vargas, Jorge Teixeira, Luiz Staver, Charles Dita, Miguel Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management |
| title | Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management |
| title_full | Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management |
| title_fullStr | Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management |
| title_short | Fusarium tropical race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Status and global research advances towards disease management |
| title_sort | fusarium tropical race 4 in latin america and the caribbean status and global research advances towards disease management |
| topic | evaluation crop production bananas sustainable agriculture pathogens food security plantains plant diseases musa (bananas) fusarium wilt disease management fusarium oxysporum soil quality-soil health plant disease control income generation biological control musa (plantains) biological control agents flood irrigation |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151593 |
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