Agnote
No: I51
November 2006
Fusarium Wilt of Bananas (Panama Disease)
(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense)
A. Daly, Diagnostic Services and G. Walduck, Crops, Forestry and Horticulture, Darwin
BACKGROUND
Fusarium wilt (Panama disease) is a de structive fungal disease of banana plants. It is caused by Fusarium
oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc ). It first became epidemic in Panama in 1890 and proceeded to devastate the
Central American and Caribbean banana industries that were based on the ‘Gros Michel’ (AAA) variety in the
1950s and 1960s. Once Foc is present in the soil, it cannot be eliminated.
There are four recognised ra ces of the pathogen which are separated ba sed on host susceptibility. Race 1,
which was responsible for the epidemi cs in ‘Gros Michel’ plantations, also attacks ‘Lady Finger’ (AAB) and
‘Silk’ (AAB) varieties. Race 2 affe cts cooking bananas such as ‘Bluggoe’ (ABB) and race 4 is capable of
attacking ‘Cavendish’ (AAA) as well as the other variet ies of banana affected by races 1 and 2. These three
races have been present on the east coast of Australia fo r many years and race 1 is present in WA. Race 4
is further divided into ‘sub-tropical’ and ‘tropical’ stra ins. ‘Tropical’ race 4 is a more virulent form of the
pathogen and is capable of causing disease in ‘C avendish’ growing under any conditions, whereas ‘sub-
tropical’ race 4 generally only causes disease in plant s growing sub-optimally (cool temperatures, water
stress, poor soil). Race 3 affects Heliconia spp., a close relative of banana, and is not considered to be a
banana pathogen.
‘Tropical’ race 4 was discovered in Darwin’s rural area in 1997 and has since spread to most banana
growing areas of the Top End.
DISEASE SYMPTOMS
Fusarium wilt of banana can be described as a “classic” vascul ar wilt disease. It invades the vascular tissue
(xylem) through the roots caus ing discolouration and wilting.
Externally, the first obvious signs of disease in most varieties are wilting and a light yellow colouring of the
lower leaves, most prominent around the margins. They eventually turn a bright yellow colour with dead leaf
margins (Figure 1). As the disease advances, more of the leaves become yellow and die. A “skirt” of dead
leaves often surrounds the pseudo-stem. In the advanc ed stages of disease, affected plants may have a
spiky appearance due to prominent upright apical leaves in contrast to the skirt of dead lower leaves
(Figure 2).
Internally, symptoms first become obvious in the xylem (water conducting) vessels of the roots and the
rhizome. These turn a reddish-brown to maroon colour as the fungus grows through the tissues (Figure 3).
Occasionally, the discolouration first appears yellow in plants showing early stages of infection (Figure 4).
When a cross-section is cut, the disc olouration appears in a circular pattern around the centre of the rhizome
where the infection concentrates due to the arrangem ent of the vessels (Figure 5). As symptoms progress
into the pseudo-stem, continuous lines of discolourati on are evident when the plant is cut longitudinally
(Figure 3). The infection may travel all the way up to t he top of the pseudo-stem. In severe cases it may even
enter the leaf petioles and the pedunc le (bunch stalk) of bunched plants. However, infection has not been
shown to progress into the fruit.© Northern Territory Government, 2006 Page 2 of 5
Figure 1. Figure 2.
Figure 3. Figure 4.
Figure 5.
Figure 1. Plant showing early symptoms of Fusarium wilt
Figure 2. Plant showing advanced symptoms of Fusarium wilt
Figure 3. Reddish-brown to maroon staining of vessels in the pseudo-stem
Figure 4. Yellow staining of xylem vessels in the pseudo-stem
Figure 5. Reddish-brown to maroon staining of the vessels in the rhizome© Northern Territory Government, 2006 Page 3 of 5
DISEASE CYCLE
Spores of Foc in the soil germinate and grow towards the nearby roots of banana plants in response to
chemical compounds exuded from the roots. Infecti on takes place on the secondary and finer roots and
proceeds into the larger, primary roots through the xylem vessels before entering the rhizome. The primary
roots and the rhizome do not appear to be infected direct ly by the pathogen. The xylem network consists of a
series of individual vessels with perforated end walls through which the sap flows. Movement of the spores
with the sap flow is blocked temporarily when th ey become lodged at the end walls. The spores then
germinate and hyphae grow through the perforations into adjoining vessels where further spores are
produced. The plant is often able to prevent infection from successfully travelling to and entering the rhizome
by the production of gels and tyloses (a resistance mechanism) to seal off the infection. However, multiple
infections occur during the life of a plant and invariably one or more lead to its complete invasion. The
virulence of ‘tropical’ race 4 on ‘Cavendish’ bananas su ggests that the resistance mechanisms employed by
the plant against this strain are not as effective as for ‘sub-tropical’ race 4. This strain generally only causes
serious losses in a plantation where the plants are under stress.
Formation of resting
spores in
dying plant
Death of plant and return of resting spores to soil
Infected planting material
Infection of young
fleshy roots and wounded roots
Germination of resti ng
spores in soil
Mov ement up xylem
Infection from root to
root contact
Colonisation of
plant and spore formation
Figure 6. Disease initiation and life cycle of Foc in a banana plant© Northern Territory Government, 2006 Page 4 of 5
PATHOGEN DISPERSAL
Foc can be spread unknowingly over long distances onto new plantations when infected rhizome bits and
suckers are used for planting material. The use of tissue cultured plantlets from a certified source guarantees
planting material free from the disease. Spread can also occur over long distances in infested soil adhering
to vehicles and footwear. There is reason to believe t hat infested soil adhering to the feet of animals is
another way by which spread occurs. The fungus can move over short distances within an infected area of a
property through the interconnecting netw ork of roots and in surface water.
DISEASE CONTROL
Once a property becomes contaminated with Foc, the only option for continued long-term production is
replacement of the susceptible variety with a resistant one. Foc cannot be controlled using fungicides and
cannot be eradicated from the soil using fumigants. Re search conducted in Darwin has identified a number
of resistant varieties. However, whilst their resistance genes may be useful in future breeding or gene
transfer programs, none are suitable as immediate repl acements for the ‘Cavendish’ variety. Currently, the
best option for managing the disease and extending the prod uctive life of a plantation is to minimise spread
from known infected areas by restricting movement of people and machinery, animals and water flow within
the infected areas. When infected plants are detected, it is best to disturb the area as little as possible and
not to cut the plant down. A heat shield, such as corrugated iron, can be erected around the infected and
adjacent plants which are then burned. This practice destr oys the inoculum in the infected plants (and some
in the soil) which would otherwise be released into t he soil and add to disease spread as the plant decays.
Machinery, tools and footwear that have come in c ontact with infested soil or diseased plants should be
sanitised using a detergent-based product known as Farmcleanse®.
Better management practices
• Do not allow unauthorised vehicles to be driven around the farm and shed area. Vehicles should be
driven to a designated area.
• No vehicles or equipment should be allowed to leave or enter the farm beyond the designated area
without inspection and approval by management. Machinery and equipment should be treated with a
sanitary solution such as Farmcleanse® which can be obtained from your local agricultural chemical
dealer.
• Footwear, which may have contacted banana plants or soil around banana plants elsewhere, should
not be worn on the farm.
• No agricultural vehicles, tools (including shov els, knives and ladders) or equipment should be
removed from, or brought on to, the farm without prior approval from management.
• When staff show visitors around the farm, it is t heir responsibility to adhere to all farm procedural
guidelines.
• Do not take on to or off the farm any soil or banana material except banana fruit supplied from the
packing shed.
• Field staff should make themselves familiar with Fusarium wilt information material in order to
recognise the disease symptoms and comply with all updated, additional procedural guidelines or
regulations.
In the NT, restrictions are placed on movement of banana material. Know the quarantine
requirements for importing planting material into the NT and between the Declared NT Banana
Protection Areas.© Northern Territory Government, 2006 Page 5 of 5
WHAT TO DO WHEN SUSPECT PLANTS ARE FOUND
• Cordon off the area containing the suspect plant(s ) and the plants immediately adjacent to prevent
movement of field staff and machinery through the area. If possible, immobilise any machinery and
other equipment that has come in contact with the ground surrounding the affected plant(s).
• Immediately suspend movement of machinery and equipment off the property that has been used in
the field.
• Contact the Department of Primary Industry, Fish eries and Mines to arrange an officer to visit to
collect samples and advise on decontamination procedures.
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ADVICE:
Suspected diseased plants:
1800 084 881 (Free call)
Banana plant import requirements:
(08) 8999 2088
Please visit us at our website:www.nt.gov.au/dpifm
Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines
© Northern Territory Government, 2006
ISSN 0157-8243
Serial No. 786
Agdex No. 234/633
Disclaimer: While all care has been taken to ensure that information c ontained in this Agnote is true and correct at the time of
publication, the Northern Territory of Australia gives no warrant y or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any
information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. No serious, business or inve stment
decisions should be made in reliance on th is information without obtaining independent/o r professional advice in relation to your
particular situation.
