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Biological Method To Get Rid Of Fusarium Wilt In Banana


Fusarium wilt in 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. Always check the environmental impact of Fusarium wilt before taking any steps; this is why biological control of Fusarium wilt in bananas is preferable. Choose fusarium wilt control fungicides wisely!

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

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 control fusarium wilt in banana? Biosecurity measures are crucial to reducing the rapid spread of FOC TR4, including using clean planting materials. Preventing the movement of contaminated water and soil is essential for controlling the spread of FOC TR4. Natural processes or human interference sometimes aid in preventing the spread of contaminated water and soil.

Initially, digging out, cutting, or treating with lime may seem effective for controlling FOC TR4. However, when FOC TR4 spreads quickly, these methods become challenging to follow effectively. Maintaining soil health becomes crucial when Fusarium Wilt becomes widespread in a plantation. Farmers should prefer the biological control of Fusarium wilt in banana plantations for sustainable disease management.

Microbes like Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia spp., and Bacillus spp. can control Fusarium wilt biologically. Novobac’s Trianum Shield, with Trichoderma harzianum, effectively controls Fusarium wilt and is a sustainable solution. Microbiological control strategies aim to strengthen banana plants’ natural mechanisms against Fusarium wilt. Biocontrol agents, including fungi, bacteria, and nematodes, manage Fusarium wilt pathogens in banana plants.

These agents protect plants, enhance natural resistance, and directly destroy unwanted pathogens in banana plantations. Scientists develop biocontrol products targeting useful microbes to prevent Fusarium wilt in banana plantations. The release of biocontrol products and innovations helps manage Fusarium wilt sustainably in banana plantations. Biological control methods are preferable to chemical ones for sustainable management of Fusarium wilt in bananas.

Maintaining soil health with biological controls is crucial for effective Fusarium wilt management in banana plantations. Effective microorganisims for fusarium wilt management can always give the best possible results.

Case Study of an Indian Banana Farmer

Case Background

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

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 been devoted to banana farming but has encountered a persistent problem: Fusarium Wilt, also known as 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.

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.

Bio-Solution with Novobac

Farmers like Ravi Sharma can greatly benefit from bio-solutions provided by Novobac, specifically using Trianum Shield with Trichoderma harzianum. Here’s how these products can be applied based on Ravi’s experience:

Trianum Shield:

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

Trianum Shield is a bio-fungicide that utilizes Trichoderma harzianum to protect plants from soil-borne diseases like Fusarium Wilt. Trichoderma harzianum colonizes the root system, creating a protective barrier against harmful pathogens while promoting plant growth.

– Application:

  – Before Planting: Dip the banana suckers in a Trianum Shield solution to prevent Fusarium Wilt infection. This pre-treatment helps protect the corms and ensures healthy plant growth.

  – During Growth: Apply the Trianum Shield solution around the base of the plants every three months. Mix the recommended dose of Trianum Shield in water as per the product guidelines and apply it to the soil around the plants, focusing on the root zone.

Benefits of Using Trianum Shield in treating fusarium wilt in banana:

    1. Effective Disease Control: The disease control that Trianum Shield affords appears to be global as it covers bacteria/ fungi/ virus in the soil such as Fusarium Wilt. 
    2. Eco-Friendly: This product helps in maintaining the quality of the soils and is an environmentally friendly product in controlling the pest, a replacement for the chemical pesticides. 
    3. Improved Plant Health: Besides preserving conditions that prevent diseases, Trianum Shield also immunizes the banana plants and thus, boosts yields. 
    4. Enhanced Disease Resistance: In Trianum Shield, the plants have enhanced natural immunity to fight off different diseases thus improving on the immunity system of the plants. 

Mode of Action of Trichoderma harzianum:

A large, healthy bunch of ripe bananas hanging from a banana plant, surrounded by lush green leaves with a scenic background.

Banana fusarium wilt is a devastating disease, however, the disease is quite manageable if the right measures are taken. Trichoderma harzianum operates through the process of forming biofilms on the root system and overshadows the ill-favorable microbes for both space and food. It also synthesizes enzymes that weaken the cell walls of pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum hence managing the spread of the disease. Also, Trichoderma harzianum stimulates and improves the plant’s ability to resist infections within the plant. Biological control of fusarium wilt of banana is easy through the use of Trichoderma harzianum. 

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, the case of the fungicides used should be strong.

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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