DETECTING FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. CUBENSE TROPICAL RACE 4 IN SOIL AND SYMPTOMLESS BANANA TISSUES

Tropical race 4 (TR4) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is a quarantine pathogen in many banana-producing regions of the world. Preventing further dissemination and precluding incursions into areas where it has not been observed is critical for maintaining local and commercial banana production. Trading of symptomless but infected banana planting material, movement of machinery with adhering infested soil, and the use of traditional banana-based packing material facilitate the spread of Foc. A PCR-based detection tool for TR4 was used to analyze field samples from symptomatic and symptomless banana plants and soils collected in TR4-affected areas. Foc TR4 was detected in all infected samples by conventional or nested PCR analyses. The results will be used to develop and implement TR4 quarantine and management strategies.