Abstract
Fusarium wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), poses a major threat to banana production globally. A variant of Foc that originated in Southeast Asia, called tropical race 4 (TR4), was detected on a Cavendish banana export plantation (Metocheria) in northern Mozambique in 2013. Foc TR4 was rapidly disseminated on the farm, and affected approximately half a million plants within 3 years. The fungus was also detected on a second commercial property approximately 200 km away (Lurio farm) a year later, and on a small-grower’s property near Metocheria farm in 2015. Surveys in Mozambique showed that non-Cavendish banana varieties were only affected by Foc race 1 and race 2 strains. The testing of Cavendish banana somaclones in northern Mozambique revealed that GCTCV-119 was most resistant to Foc TR4, but that GCTCV-218 produced better bunches. The occurrence of Foc TR4 in northern Mozambique poses a potential threat to food security on the African continent, where banana is considered a staple food and source of income to millions of people. Cavendish somaclones can be used, in combination with integrated disease management practices, to replace susceptible Cavendish cultivars in southern Africa. The comprehensive testing of African cooking bananas for resistance to Foc TR4 is required, along with the improvement of biosecurity and preparedness of growers on the African continent.
 Significance:
 
 This paper presents the first official report of the invasive pest Foc TR4 in Africa.
 The spread of Foc TR4 on Cavendish banana farms in Mozambique was documented.
 Banana varieties that could replace susceptible Cavendish bananas were identified.
Highlights
Fusarium wilt of banana was first observed in 18741, but gained prominence when it severely affected the Gros Michel based international banana export industry in Latin America in the 1900s2
The discovery of banana Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4) on a commercial Cavendish banana farm in northern Mozambique signifies the first occurrence of Foc TR4 on the African continent
International staff and workers employed at Metocheria farm included South Africans, and the farm was frequently visited by South African service providers
Summary
Fusarium wilt of banana was first observed in 18741, but gained prominence when it severely affected the Gros Michel based international banana export industry in Latin America in the 1900s2. Reports of Fusarium wilt of Cavendish bananas were first received from the Canary Islands in the 1920s, followed by losses of Cavendish banana in South Africa, Australia and Taiwan.[4,5] Yet, Cavendish bananas did not succumb to Fusarium wilt in severely infested fields in Latin America where Gros Michel was previously planted. This resulted in the designation of races in Foc, of which Foc race 1 affects Gros Michel and dessert banana varieties such as Pisang Awak (ABB) and Silk (AAB), race 2 affects Bluggoe (ABB), and race 4 affects Cavendish bananas, initially in the sub-tropics only.[6]
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