New developments in the control of black Sigatoka and Fusarium wilt in banana
Stefano Torriani: Syngenta Crop Protection
<div>Banana production rely mainly on one clonal cultivar, Cavendish, which is world-wide grown and therefore highly prone to diseases. Major diseases are <em>Mycosphaerella fijiensis</em> and <em>M. musicola</em>, which are controlled by a wide range of fungicides coming from 10 different classes. The agronomic conditions in which bananas are cultivated demand frequent applications. In principal multi-site fungicides are used frequently and site specific systemic fungicides are added in critical phases of the disease epidemics. In many regions resistance to various fungicide classes has developed and needed to adapt the use recommendations. Resistance is found for BMC, QoI, DMI and SDHI (even if not widely spread) fungicides in many areas and therefore restrictive guidelines were agreed. Other fungicide classes are free from significant resistance evolutions, but precautious measures are agreed. Recently biologicals have been introduced into the spray program. An overview on the fungicide classes and associated resistance, geographical spread and known mechanisms will be given, describing the consequences for the use pattern of fungicides.</p> <p>Panama disease caused by <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>cubense</em> TR4 race is recently re-occurring threat to many banana cultivars, including Cavendish. This race is spreading within Asia and endangering other major banana growing countries. Since no direct control measures are available, a range of indirect measures are in place to limit further spread. Research activities have been started to investigate the pathogen, the host resistance and direct control. A project together with the University of Wageningen has been initiated to elucidate the possible usage of fungicides towards <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>cubense.</em></div>
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