Regional Workshop on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

cubense (Panama disease)

Center for Research on Public Administration (CICAP)
University of Costa Rica (UCR)
San Jose, Costa Rica, 1-3 September, 2014

Plutarco Elas Echegoyn Ramos, Agr. Eng., M.Sc.

Plant Health Specialist
Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria - OIRSA

Sowing susceptible banana to Foc

Sowing of apparently Foc free

propagative material, of a
susceptible cultivar (Apple), within
a coffee plantation (Santa Ana
volcano, El Salvador) without traces
of banana crop. Plants disappeared
as time went by, due to the
disease. More than 30 years ago,
the property had been cultivated
with banana for animal feeding.

Transfer of susceptible plants

(Apple cultivar), apparently
Foc free, to proximity of other
varieties (Santa Ana volcano, El
Salvador). Foc seriously
attacked these transferred
plants, and one of the adjacent
cultivars (squarish angular
dwarf, type bluggoe) also
resulted severely affected
(poultry dispersed the disease)

Identifying a susceptible plantation

Experiences later described, occurred in this

plantation.

Sampling techniques (with knife)

Process from
left to right.
This sampling
technique,
developed by
the author,
produced
good results.

Sampling techniques (with borer)

This technique showed difficulties for sample surface disinfection at

the laboratory. The culture media gets too contaminated, and the
sought disinfection is not achieved.

Sampling techniques (with Novak curette)

Difficulty for sample surface disinfection at the laboratory. The

culture media results too contaminated.

Control technique (gradual suppression)

History of
these three
plants is
described by
photographical
illustration,
against a Foc
attack. On this
date (9 June,
2013) they
looked healthy
and not
infected by Foc

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 2

These symptoms of
Foc were
photographically
recorded on July 7,
2013;
approximately 1
month after having
observed the plant
apparently healthy
(see previous
photos).

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 3

The pseudo stem of the
first sick plant was cut at
15 cm over the soil
surface on July 17, 2013
(note the stimulus that
provoked the sprout of
suckers in this plant, a lot
more that the plant
beside, with bunch)

The stump of the pseudo stem was covered with a PVC cylinder, which was filled with hydrated
lime (calcium hydroxide) and covered. The collected sample resulted positive to Foc

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 4

On July 21,
2013, the
second plant of
the cluster
showed
symptoms. The
proceeding
before
described, was
repeated

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 5

Likewise, on 21 July, 2013, a sucker of the cluster
was observed with Foc symptoms (near the plant
with bunch), so major pruning and the same
treatment were applied.
The same day, plant
with bunch (center)
was harvested.
See the following
slides.

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 6

Apparently, the
plant with
bunch
remained Foc
free till harvest.
The plant was
sampled post
harvest. When
sectioning the
pseudo stem,
typical
symptoms of
Foc were
observed
(harvest was
performed on
21 July, 2013).
It was positive
to Foc.

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 7

Destruction procedure (by fire) applied

to the aerial parts (leaves and pseudo
stem) of the pruned plants of the cluster
that were visibly diseased with Foc (the
plant with bunch, although did not
appeared infected, when sampled,
showed symptoms of Foc, so it was
major pruned and incinerated).

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 8

Bunch of infected plant, near a plant of

dwarf horn plantain. Samples were
collected at both ends of the rachis,
before and after the fruits, that
resulted positive to Foc.

Cluster without the adult plants; two were

eliminated for being visibly infected with
Foc; and the other for showing symptoms
post harvest.

Control technique (gradual suppression) cont. 9

Pictures were
taken in
November
and
December
2013 (from
left to right).
Plants
although
being young
already
showed
symptoms of
Foc.

Note: the technique was not effective, it was

impossible to contain the attack of the disease.

Spreading of Foc
The spread of Foc
occurred to the
adjacent property,
due to the
overflow of the
blind ditch that had
been constructed
to retain runoff
from the plot with
Foc-infected plants
(pictured right).

Spreading of Foc

It is believed that wild animals, such as armadillos (Dasypus

novemcinctus) whose traces are illustrated and other organisms
that carry or remove soil can spread Foc.

Spreading of Foc

It is probable that infection of the

Majoncho San Andrs observed is due to
spread of the fungus from the apple
banana plants in the vicinity.
Soil carried on shoes (even with
protection) may contain infectious fungal
structures.

Removal of plants

It is believed that the removal of

infected plant debris, both aerial and
underground, can help lower the
amount of inoculum of the pest and
thus also contribute to its control. To
achieve this, during dry weather (no
rain) was applied incineration, and
during wet weather (rainy season),
treatment with formalin fumes and
immersion of the material in a solution
of formalin.

Removal of plants

Burying of material treated with

formalin fumes and solution of
formalin.

Recommendations
Avoid planting susceptible cultivars of Foc
with material suspected of being infected; if
so, use certified pathogen-free material;
Exert Foc surveillance and determine
composition of populations present in
different areas.

Recommendations cont.
Foc can survive in soil for a long time, probably
over 40 years, so a ground where the pest has
occurred, should be considered infected and not
suitable for planting susceptible cultivars (unless
it is disinfected);
Susceptible cultivars (certified Foc-free) should be
planted in soils with no history of banana
cultivation or planted in soils where susceptible
varieties are grown and has not reported any
case of Foc (Foc-free areas or places with history
of banana crops).

Recommendations cont.
Keep a detailed registry of areas or places where
Foc cases have been present (if possible with Foc
type present);
Remove all plant material from Foc infected
plants (to reduce the inoculum on the site and
therefore its mobilization through media that is
not propagation material);
Declare (that implies to regulate) Foc as a
regulated non-quarantine pest (see definition of
regulated non-quarantine pest in ISPM No. 5).