Abstract
The effective management of Fusarium wilt of bananas (FWB) depends on the knowledge of the disease dynamics in time and space. The objectives of this work were: to estimate disease intensity and impact, and to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of FWB. Fields planted with Silk (n = 10), Pome (n = 17), or Cavendish (n = 3) banana subgroups were surveyed in Brazil, totaling 95 ha. In each field, all plants were visually assessed, and diseased plants were georeferenced. The incidence of FWB and the impact of the disease on the yield on a regional scale were estimated. Spatial patterns were analyzed using quadrat- and distance-based methods. FWB incidence ranged from 0.09% to 41.42%, being higher in Silk fields (median = 14.26%). Impacts of epidemics on yield ranged from 18.4 to 8192.5 kg ha−1 year−1, with an average of 1856.7 kg ha−1 year−1. The higher economic impact of the disease was observed on Silk cultivar with an average loss of USD 1974.2 ha−1 year−1. Overall, estimated losses increased on average by USD 109.8 ha−1 year−1 at each 1% of incidence. Aggregation of FWB was detected by all analytical methods in 13 fields (1 of Cavendish, 11 of Pome, and 1 of Silk). In the other 17 fields, at least one analytical method did not reject the null hypothesis of randomness. One field (5 ha), composed of six plots, was selected for spatial and temporal studies during two years with bi-monthly assessments. A sigmoidal curve represented the FWB progress and the Gompertz model best-fitted disease progress. The level of aggregation varied over time, and evidence of secondary infection to neighboring and distant plants was detected. FWB is a widespread problem in Brazil and yield losses can be of high magnitude. Epidemiology-based management strategies can now be better established.
Highlights
Banana plants with symptoms of Fusarium wilt were first reported in Australia in 1874 [1]
Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB) incidence ranged from 0.09 to 41.4% across the fields located in different regions in Brazil (Table S1)
The incidence of FWB on the assessed fields in Brazil was moderate
Summary
Banana plants with symptoms of Fusarium wilt were first reported in Australia in 1874 [1]. In 1890, wilted plants were investigated in Cuba where Erwin F. Smith reported the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum associated with symptomatic banana plants [2]. It has been suggested that more than one species of Fusarium may be involved with the Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), known as Panama disease. N. Hansen has been traditionally reported as the causal agent of FWB, but another species, F. odoratissimum N. The taxonomy of F. odoratissimum is under debate [6] and we prefer to use the traditional and most widely accepted nomenclature for the causal agent of FWB: F. oxysporum f. The taxonomy of F. odoratissimum is under debate [6] and we prefer to use the traditional and most widely accepted nomenclature for the causal agent of FWB: F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc)
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