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Biological Method To Get Rid Of Fusarium Wilt In Banana


Fusarium wilt of banana is usually known to be the most destructive fungal disease that can affect banana plantations globally. The pathogens generally penetrate the roots of the bananas before dominating the vascular tissues. By disconnecting the roots from the upper body of the plants, it removes all the necessary nutrients. When it happened in the early 1900s, it caused a loss of around 2.3 billion USD globally! It is essential to understand the best current disease management approaches to handle it, or else it will spread throughout the banana plantations without any mercy. Environmental impact on fusarium wilt should always be checked before taking any steps and that is why biological control of fusarium wilt of banana is preferable. Choose fusarium wilt control fungicides wisely! Fusarium wilt treatment is easy when you know how to treat fusarium wilt through right biological methods.

Banana plants affected by Fusarium wilt showing yellowing and wilting leaves, with some leaves turning brown and deteriorating. Healthy banana plants are visible in the background, highlighting the contrast between affected and unaffected plants.

Fusarium Wilt Banana Symptoms

The Fusarium wilt banana symptoms are something that farmers need to understand. It is a typical disease that is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. It infects the banana plants by necrosis and rotting of roots, rhizomes, and pseudostem vessels. The known symptoms visible in the initial stages are pale green streaks on the base of the petiole and the brown-reddish discoloration of the ship under the epidermis of the petiole. It usually becomes visible after the initial 2 to 3 months of the pathogen’s attack. Leaves will have yellow and brown streaks that will be visible, which is a sign to be alert. The initial infections attack the roots, where the pathogens prefer to colonize. The reddish discoloration in the internal vessels of the pseudostem usually confirms that the dangerous pathogens have already attacked the plant. Genetic resistance in bananas should be improved to tackle these dangerous pathogens and with sustainable banana farming practices it can be possible. Banana fusarium wilt management can be easy with a proper focus.

Banana plants showing symptoms of Fusarium wilt, with yellowing, wilting, and browning leaves. Some plants appear severely affected while others in the background look healthier.

How can the attack of Fusarium oxysporum be controlled?

How to do fusarium wilt banana control? A question that has got an answer in this part!Biosecurity measures to reduce FOC TR4 spreading quickly is always a necessity. Farmers should use clean planting materials and prevent the movement of contaminated water and soil.

It sometimes happens through natural processes or sometimes requires interference from a human. The digging out, cutting or treating with lime might seem effective initially but later when the FOC TR4 spreads quickly, it becomes difficult to follow this method. When the disease spreads heavily and infiltrates the plantation, farmers maintain soil health more effectively using biological control methods.

Farmers should prefer biological control methods for managing Fusarium wilt in bananas. A few microbes usually can biologically control the fusarium wilt in bananas. Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia spp, and Bacillus spp are among the few microbes that can be helpful and are the effective microorganisms for fusarium wilt management. Companies like Novobac have developed Trianum Shield, with Trichoderma harzianum strain as its active ingredient, effectively controlling the fusarium wilt’s destructive effect. It is usually preferable as it is a sustainable method to maintain, unlike chemical ones.

Scientists use microbiological approaches to strengthen banana plants’ natural defenses against Fusarium wilt pathogens. Biocontrol agents like fungi, bacteria, and nematodes manage Fusarium wilt by enhancing plant immunity naturally. These agents fortify banana plants’ defenses, preparing them to resist Fusarium and other harmful pathogens. Farmers carefully apply useful microbes in banana plantations to effectively prevent Fusarium wilt disease. Biocontrol products and innovations actively combat pathogens, ensuring healthier banana plants through sustainable practices.

Effective microorganisms for fusarium wilt management can always give the best possible results. Well, this guide can easily help you understand how to control fusarium wilt in banana very smoothly.

Case Study of an Indian Banana Farmer

Two individuals in protective suits and gloves working in a banana plantation affected by Fusarium wilt, cutting and removing infected banana plants.

Case Study of an Indian Banana Farmer

Ravi Sharma is a dedicated farmer from Nashik, Maharashtra, where he cultivates a variety of crops including beans, Irish potatoes, cowpeas, and bananas. His primary focus is on bananas, as they are his main source of income. For over ten years, Ravi has devoted himself to banana farming but continuously battled Fusarium Wilt, or Panama Disease.

Fusarium Wilt is a devastating disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. This disease infects the banana plants through the soil, attacking the root system and disrupting the plant’s ability to transport water and nutrients. The infection leads to the wilting and eventual death of the banana plants. Ravi’s banana yield significantly dropped due to this disease, causing severe economic losses.

A package of Trianum Shield, a microbial bio-fungicide, used for controlling various plant diseases, including Fusarium wilt in bananas.

Desperate for a solution, Ravi discovered Trianum Shield from Novobac, which contains the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum after searching a lot of fusarium wilt control fungicides.

Conclusion

Thus, using Novobac’s bio-solutions, the farmers including Ravi Sharma can control diseases in an effective and biological manner that contributes to the health and fertility of banana plantations and reduce losses. Through application of Trianum Shield, Fusarium Wilt can be limited while at the same time improving growth as well as the yields of banana plantations for increased profitability and sustainability of the farming activity. As for the control of fusarium wilt of banana, the case of the fungicides used should be strong. After reading this article any farmer can easily know how to treat fusarium wilt in banana. Fusarium wilt treatment is never a rocket science.

References:

  1. Thangavelu, R., A. Palaniswami, and R. Velazhahan. “Mass production of Trichoderma harzianum for managing fusarium wilt of banana.” Agriculture, ecosystems & environment 103.1 (2004): 259-263.
  2. Castillo, Arfe G., Cecirly G. Puig, and Christian Joseph R. Cumagun. “Non-synergistic effect of Trichoderma harzianum and Glomus spp. in reducing infection of Fusarium wilt in banana.” Pathogens 8.2 (2019): 43.

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