Panama Disease: Fusarium Infection, Banana Crops and TR4

Category: Agriculture & Plant Pathology

  • Panama disease is a serious disease affecting banana plants.

  • Caused by soil-borne fungi of the Fusarium group.

  • The disease can cause yellowing, wilting and vascular damage, eventually killing plants.

  • Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is historically associated with Panama disease.

  • Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is a particularly destructive strain affecting important banana cultivars.

  • The pathogen can survive in soil for long periods.

  • Control is difficult because of its soil-borne nature.

  • Measures include quarantine, clean planting material, resistant varieties and strict farm hygiene.

UPSC Focus: Plant diseases, Fusarium, banana cultivation, food security.