Fusarium Wilt-Tropical Race 4-An Emerging Threat to Banana Cultivation and Its Management

Banana cultivation all over the world is currently facing an unimaginable threat from a newer much virulent strain of the Fusarium wilt pathogen termed Foc Tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). While the torment and recovery from the massive destruction of Gros Michel plantations by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 1 is still lingering around, the banana world faces another much aggressive strain tropical race 4. In this situation it is necessary to look upon and redesign the disease managing strategy keeping in mind the occurrences and losses endured till date due to this pathogen. It is so that the symptom of disease, biology and spread of the pathogen is quite similar to the previous strains, with differences prevailing only under genetic and protein expression levels. It is now a mandate to explore the molecular diversity of the pathogen for quick detection which in turn paves way for quicker pathogen exclusion and management. Even though there exists an umpteen number of the management practices, it is now the time to redesign the management structure and develop newer chemicals, biocontrol agents and resistant varieties to sustain the banana cultivation whose future is questioned by this pathogen. This review summarizes the recent developments in various aspects of Fusarium wilt in banana and its management.