Panama Disease Research Articles

SOURCES OF RESISTANCE TO Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.cubense IN BANANA GERMPLASM

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilt (syn= Panama disease), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC), is one of the most destructive diseases of banana, being genetic resistance the main management strategy for this disease. Since the pathogen is constantly evolving to supplant the genetic resistance, new sources of resistance must be investigated by genetic improvement programs aiming to developing new varieties. The objective of the present study was to identify sources of resistance from the different accessions maintained in the banana active germplasm bank (BAGB) at Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura. Forty-one BAGB accessions were evaluated, including 17 diploids, 21 triploids, and two tetraploids. The area under the disease progress curve, disease index, and incubation period were also evaluated. In relation to FOC resistance, there is genetic variability available among the BAGB accessions. The genotype M53 is notable for the complete resistance it expressed, and the accessions Birmanie, PA Songkla, Pirua, Imperial, Poyo, Ambei, Walebo, and Kongo FRF 1286 expressed quantitative resistance.

Panama disease of banana occurred in Miyakojima Island, Okinawa, Japan

In 2016, in Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan, banana plants (Musa × paradisiaca) ‘Shima-banana’ developed yellowing and wilt associated with vascular discoloration of the pseudostems. Fusarium oxysporum, identified based on morphological characters, was frequently isolated from the vascular tissue of the infected plant and reproduced the original symptoms on ‘Shima-banana’ after drench inoculation with a spore suspension. Thereby, we determined that the disease is Panama disease caused by F. oxysporum. This is the first official report of Panama disease (Panama-byo in Japanese) of banana in Japan.

Occurrence and correlations of nematodes, Fusarium oxysporum and edaphic factors on banana plantations

AbstractProblems caused by nematodes and Fusarium wilt (Panama disease) on banana plantations are responsible for yield losses and are limiting to its cultivation. In the state of Goias, there is little information about the nematode occurence on this crop, and its relation with the incidence of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc). This research had the purpose to identify the occurrence of plant‐parasitic nematodes on banana plantations and to verify its correlation with the Fusarium wilt and with the soil attributes (pH, texture, nutrients). Twelve banana orchards in the state of Goias were sampled in the municipalities of Anapolis, Caiaponia, Goiatuba, Itaguaru, Itumbiara (two areas), Jatai, Morrinhos, Ouro Verde, Palestina, Taquaral and Uruana. All sampled areas, except Morrinhos, revealed contamination with Foc, and all areas had different genera of nematodes either in the soil or in the roots samples. Meloidogyne sp., Helicotylenchus sp. and Rotylenchus sp. were the main genera of plant‐parasitic nematodes found in the samples, with Meloidogyne sp. and Rotylenchus sp. being the most dominant and abundant genera. The presence of Pratylenchus sp. increases the population levels of F. oxysporum. Helicotylenchus sp. is highly correlated with high concentrations of Mn. High population density of Meloidogyne sp. was found in irrigated areas with low concentrations of P, Ca, Mg and soil pH.

The 5´ → 3´ Exoribonuclease 2 as a Potential Target for Developing Fungicides to Control the Panama Disease

An outbreak of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 is currently threatening the global production of bananas. Due to the clonal nature of commercial banana plants, selecting resistant cultivars does not seem feasible; therefore, alternative approaches to crop protection must be developed. The 5´ → 3´ exoribonuclease XRN2/RAT1 is involved in 5´ → 3´ RNA decay. Fungal studies with XRN2 and conditional mutants have illustrated the crucial role of this enzyme, suggesting XRN2 should be considered as target to searching for novel inhibitors that might be used as fungicides to control Panama disease. Our in silico analysis of Tropical Race 4 XRN2 (FocTR4XRN2) revealed characteristic features of 5´ → 3´ exoribonuclease such as the catalytic domain that recognizes 5´-monophosphorylated RNA and catalyses the processed cleavage of mononucleotides. A delimited cavity showing the potential for substrate uptake appears prone to interacting with small molecules that might inhibit its activity. The catalytic domain in FocTR4XRN2 harbors a CCHC motif, which is conserved in orthologous proteins from filamentous fungi but lacking in yeasts. The residues involved in the interaction with the pyrophosphohydrolase RAI1 are also conserved. Molecular docking reveals the potential interaction of FocTR4XRN2 with the natural inhibitor adenosine 3´, 5´ bisphosphate, and suggests this approach is reliable to screen for novel enzyme inhibitors that could be help in suppressing the progression of causal agents of Panama disease.

Panama disease and contract farming in the Philippines: Towards a political ecology of risk

AbstractDespite the vast research on contract farming by agrarian scholars, little is known about interactions between biological risks and the social–political effects of contracts. This study analysed contract farming arrangements in the export banana industry in the Philippines amidst an expanding epidemic of Panama disease. We developed a political ecology of risk approach to investigate how ideas about technological and biological risks are influenced by contractual arrangements, and we borrowed from Cultural Theory the insight that risk and blame are connected concepts, always political, and disadvantage marginalized groups through disproportionate risk burdens. Data collection involved the study of contracts, interviews with decision‐makers, and focus group discussions with agrarian cooperatives. The views of both large corporations as well as organized smallholders were recorded. We found that the former contractually compel the latter to bear the burden of the disease, while blaming them for its spread. Risk decisions were embedded in the dynamics of agrarian social relationships, and economic and political arrangements between actors influenced possibilities and limitations for disease control. We argue that the contractual stipulations, in concert with blaming processes, create a discursive environment that both allow inequitable relations to remain unquestioned, and constrain possibilities for control of Panama disease.

The reintroduction of DENV-2 in 2011 in Panama and subsequent outbreak characteristic

The circulation of the South-east Asian/American (AS/AM) dengue 2 virus (DENV-2) genotype in the Americas has been associated with a high rate of severe disease. From 1993, the year DENV was reintroduced in Panama, until 2011 there were 29 dengue-associated deaths, 17 of which occurred in 2011, the most severe outbreak with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 44% (17 deaths out of 38 severe dengue cases). During this outbreak DENV-2 was reintroduced into the country, whereas over the prior five years DENV-1 and −3 were predominant. Herein, we describe the 2011 Panama outbreak and genetically characterize the Panamanian DENV-2 strains, which were associated with severe dengue disease in Panama. Our results suggest that the DENV-2 isolates from this outbreak belonged to the AS/AM genotype sub-clade 2BI and were genetically close to viruses described in the outbreaks in Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico from 2006-2011. Sub-clade 2BI has previously been associated with severe disease in Nicaragua during outbreaks from 2005-2007.

Lipid and protein fingerprinting for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense strain-level classification.

Banana is one of the most popular fruits in the world but has been substantially impaired by Panama disease in the last years. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is the causal agent and colonizes banana cultivars from many subgroups with different aggressiveness levels, often leading to plant death while compromising new crops in infested areas. This study has evaluated the ability of MALDI-MS protein and lipid fingerprinting to provide intraspecies classification of Foc isolates and to screen biomolecules related to host-pathogen relationship. The MS data, when inspected via partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), distinguished the isolates by aggressiveness as well as by specific location and host. Although both lipids and proteins show discriminating tendencies, these differences were more clearly perceived via the protein profiles. Considering that Cavendish cultivar is the more resistant option to endure Foc presence in the field, the lipids and proteins related to this subgroup might have an important role in pathogen adaptation. This study reports a new application of MALDI-MS for the analysis of a banana pathogen with intraspecies classification ability. Graphical abstract MALDI-MS classified Foc isolates by aggressiveness level on banana revealing the additional influence of location and host cultivar on the expression of lipids and proteins.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Panama: Results From the PREFREC Study and National Mortality Trends

IntroductionThe magnitude of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Panama has yet to be described. We investigated the association between sociodemographic and cardiovascular exposures with CKD in 2 Panamanian provinces. Further, we analyzed national trends of CKD mortality from 2001 to 2014.MethodsData were derived from Prevalencia de Factores de Riesgo de Enfermedad Cardiovascular (PREFREC [Survey on Risk Factors Associated With Cardiovascular Disease]), a cross-sectional study designed to analyze the prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Biomarkers of kidney function were measured in 3590 participants. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and/or albuminuria ≥30 mg/g creatinine. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CKD were calculated using logistic regression. We calculated age-standardized CKD mortality rates in the country using the National Mortality Register. Annual percentage change and 95% CIs were estimated to evaluate the trends over time.ResultsThe prevalence of CKD was 12% (reduced eGFR: 3.3%; albuminuria; 9.9%). CKD was associated with hypertension (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2−2.7), age 60 years or older (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2−2.9), and previous myocardial infarction (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.0−5.7), whereas monthly family income was inversely associated with CKD (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1−0.9) (adjusted). A sustained increase in the trend of CKD mortality was observed from 2001 to 2006, followed by a decreasing trend in subsequent years. Coclé province had the highest adjusted mortality rate.DiscussionCKD poses a significant health problem for Panama. Health inequalities and an increase of cardiometabolic risk factors warrant robust epidemiological surveillance, improved diagnosis, and treatment. Further national studies aimed to address geographical disparities are necessary.

A Pragmatic Approach for Obtaining Lines Possessing Desirable Traits in Silk Banana

Silk Banana is amongst the most popular groups of bananas grown in different parts of the world. However, the commercial scale cultivation requires identification of superior genotypes with desirable attributes including growth, yield, quality and resistance to Panama wilt disease which is a major concern. Panama disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense has been wreaking havoc in banana plantations throughout the world. A large number of varieties fall prey to the pathogen and hence world’s banana production has been threatened to a considerable extent, Silk Banana being the most vulnerable. Long term use of chemicals has not only failed to provide protection against the disease but has also raised concern about the environmental health. Resistance breeding is thus only viable alternative; however, breeding in banana is hindered by a number of inherent problems. In this communication, a systematic approach was proposed taking a typical case of Silk Banana var. Nanjanagud Rasabale to preselect lines possessing Panama wilt resistance and other desired traits. The proposed methodology comprised of identification of spontaneous variants in growing regions of the variety and their subsequent screening using a multi-pronged strategy. A number of lines exhibiting superiority in terms of tolerance to panama wilt, precocity, plant stature, physicochemical and shelf life related attributes have been reported. Considering overall performance, six promising lines were identified. This methodology has wider applicability as it could be effectively exploited with suitable modifications for identifying lines with desired traits in other varieties of banana.

English

Banana is an important crop in agriculture economy of Pakistan. Major production (about 90%) comes from the Sindh province, while around 10% is produced in the Baluchistan. It is an export commodity; Pakistan earned 2.5392 million U.S. dollars by exporting 58,786 metric ton out of 96,545 metric ton total production from 22,098 hectors, in 2011 (http://faostat.fao.org). Banana was first introduced in the Sindh in 1913 from Bombay (India). Later many varieties were brought at different times from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Among them Dwarf Cavendish (Basrai) proved superior in Sindh climate and was released for general cropping in late 1950s (Khalid and Soomro, 1993; Bhatti, 1991). Currently this is the major cultivated variety, while William hybrid which was introduced first in 1969, then in 1978 and in 1985 from Queensland, Australia (Khalid and Soomro, 1993) and some Chinese varieties which are recently being introduced, cover less than 10% area under cultivation. There are many economically important diseases of banana. These include bacterial diseases like bacterial soft rots of rhizome, pseudostem and bacterial wilt, while Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is the most devastating viral disease which is threatening Pakistan’s banana industry since 1991 (Hyder, 2009). Fungal specie i.e. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense (Foc) causes fusarium wilt or Panama disease, which is highly damaging disease of banana (Bentley et al., 2001). Recently in 2012 a disease has been noticed in few banana fields of district Thatta and Hyderabad in the Sindh, affecting Dwarf Cavendish (Basrai) plantation (Syed et al., 2015), showing symptoms similar to Panama disease. Based on the morphology of isolated fungus from infected plants, Syed and colleagues (2015) identified the pathogen as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense. In a parallel pioneering work, Ordonez and coworkers (2015) confirmed based on PCR diagnostics and mating experiments, that the tropical race 4 of Foc is causing Panama disease in Dwarf Cavendish plants in Pakistan (Ordonez et al., 2015). Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht emend. Snyder & Hansen is a soil born, diverse and quite adaptive ascomycete fungus that includes pathogenic strains infecting human, animal and plants and a diverse range of nonpathogenic strains (Gordon and Martyn, 1997; Fourie et al., 2011). The plant pathogenic strains are divided into special forms or formae speciales Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 54(1), xxx-xxx; 2017 ISSN (Print) 0552-9034, ISSN (Online) 2076-0906 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21162/PAKJAS/17.4674 http://www.pakjas.com.pk

Modifying Bananas: From Transgenics to Organics?

Bananas are one of the top ten world food crops. Unlike most other major food crops, bananas are difficult to genetically improve. The challenge is that nearly all banana cultivars and landraces are triploids, with high levels of male and female infertility. There are a number of international conventional breeding programs and many of these are developing new cultivars. However, it is virtually impossible to backcross bananas, thus excluding the possibility of introgressing new traits into a current cultivar. The alternative strategy is to “modify” the cultivar itself. We have been developing the capacity to modify Cavendish bananas and other cultivars for both disease resistance and enhanced fruit quality. Initially, we were using transgenes; genes that were derived from species outside of the Musa or banana genus. However, we have recently incorporated two banana genes (cisgenes) into Cavendish; one to enhance the level of pro-vitamin A and the other to increase the resistance to Panama disease. Modified Cavendish with these cisgenes have been employed in a field trial. Almost certainly, the next advance will be to edit the Cavendish genome, to generate the desired traits. As these banana cultivars are essentially sterile, transgene flow and the outcrossing of modified genes into wild Musa species. are highly unlikely and virtually impossible in other triploid cultivars. Therefore, genetic changes in bananas may be compatible with organic farming.

Identification and aggressiveness of four isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense from Latundan banana in Brazil

AbstractMembers of Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC) have been extensively studied because it causes many crop diseases and losses. This complex has more than 150 putatively plant host‐specific formae speciales such as F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc), the aetiological agent of Fusarium wilt of banana, Panama disease. The objective of this study was to characterize isolates obtained from rhizomes of the latundan (apple) variety of banana showing symptoms of Panama disease using morphological markers, phylogenetic analyses of the TEF‐1α and pathogenicity tests. Isolates were harvested from the states of Minas Gerais (Foc GO2), Goiás (Foc GO1 and Foc GO2A) and Bahia (Foc 807). Morphological markers of isolates observed are in accordance with the original descriptions of the F. oxysporum. Foc isolates grouped into two different lineages, and one of these is a lineage not yet recorded. Aggressiveness was assessed by a rating scale of the symptoms displayed in the shoot, rhizome and conducting vessels in latundan banana trees. The results indicated that all isolates belong to F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense, race 1. Isolate Foc GO2A proved to be more aggressive than the others. The results generated in this study contribute to knowledge of lineages diversity within Foc.

Disease suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt of banana in an agroforestry system: Influence of soil characteristics and plant community

One of the most destructive diseases of banana is Fusarium wilt or Panama disease, caused by the soilborne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). Foc is widespread in almost all banana-growing areas and cannot be effectively controlled by chemical or biological measures. Fusarium wilt could potentially be managed by the promotion of soil disease suppressiveness, but little is known how soils attain a higher level of disease suppression and how crop management can impact on this. Banana cultivar (cv.) Maçã, a cultivar highly susceptible to Foc race 1, was grown on a farm managed as agroforestry system in Pedra Dourada, Brazil, where Foc race 1 is present in soil. At some locations on the farm banana plants of cv. Maçã stayed productive, while on others it succumbed rapidly. We hypothesized that the differences in disease severity on the farm could be attributed to different levels of soil disease suppressiveness. In this study, we assessed the level of disease suppression of the different locations and elucidated potential factors that could promote disease suppression in soil. Patches with confirmed presence of Foc race 1 were sampled and tested for Fusarium wilt suppression in greenhouse assays. The plant community composition, soil abiotic properties and soil microbial community of the different locations were compared. Locations with a higher level of disease suppression were characterized by a low density of the susceptible cv. Maçã, a high diversity of other banana varieties, a higher clay content, higher pH and lower soil cover by graminoids. Banana cv. Ouro was only present in the three most suppressive patches. The results of this study suggest that in soils with favorable abiotic properties, a good plant arrangement, in which cv. Maçã is grown in mixed stands with other banana varieties, can help to promote Fusarium wilt suppression.

In-Silico Identification of Novel Resistant Genes for Fungal Pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 4: Causative Agent of Banana Vascular Wilt Disease

Cavendish, the most widely grown banana cultivar, is relatively resistant to Race 1 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc1) that caused widespread Panama disease during the first half of the 20th century but is susceptible to Tropical Race 4 of the Foc (Foc TR4), a threat to world banana production. Foc TR4 can spread into the vascular system of banana roots during the early infection process. The genome of the diploid species Musa acuminata; the ancestor of majority of the triploid banana cultivars has recently been sequenced. The identification for the resistant gene in this cultivar is a challenge for the researchers as the resistant gene against Foc4 has not been identified, the major focus of this research work was to identify the pathogenic genes and some resistant genes against those pathogenic genes, to get some better results for the laboratory work. The four resistant genes I, I-1, I-2, and I-3 were identified which provides resistance against Foc4 in banana. About three pathogenic genes SIX1 (SIX1A, SIX1B, SIX1C), SIX2, and SIX8 of Foc4 were identified. Out of these pathogenic genes SIX8 showed the greatest number of interactions with the resistant proteins. So it is proposed that I-1, I-2 and I-3 genes can be used in the further research work for providing better improvements of the resistive cultivars in banana.

Analysis of mortality trends due to cardiovascular diseases in Panama, 2001–2014

ObjectiveCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are still the leading cause of death worldwide despite the recent decline in mortality rates attributable to CVD in Western Europe and the Americas. The aim of...

Nitrogen and potassium fertilization on ‘Caipira’ and ‘BRS Princesa’ bananas in the Ribeira Valley

ABSTRACT ‘BRS Princesa’ (AAAB) and ‘Caipira’ (AAA) banana cultivars have similar sensorial features in comparison to the ‘Maçã’ banana. They are resistant to Panama disease, which allows them to grow in the Ribeira Valley, the largest banana plantation area in the São Paulo State. However, there is no information on how to fertilize crop under these edaphoclimatic conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the development and production of ‘Caipira’ and ‘BRS Princesa’ bananas, by applying four fertilization doses of N and K2O (no fertilization; 175 and 285 kg ha-1 year-1; 350 and 570 kg ha-1 year-1; 525 and 855 kg ha-1 year-1). The most adequate fertilizer recommendation for ‘Caipira’ and ‘BRS Princesa’ cultivars was 150% of the standard recommendation for banana (525 kg ha-1 year-1 of N and 855 kg ha-1 year-1 of K2O) in both production cycles, promoting adequate growth and production, since most of the evaluated characteristics showed linear responses with the increase in the fertilization doses. ‘Caipira’ and ‘BRS Princesa’ require higher amounts of N and K than that recommended for the banana crop in the São Paulo State, in order to express their productive potential.

Development of a TaqMan Probe-Based Insulated Isothermal Polymerase Chain Reaction (iiPCR) Assay for Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 4.

This study developed a novel and inexpensive detection method based on a TaqMan probe-based insulated isothermal polymerase chain reaction (iiPCR) method for the rapid detection of Panama disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) race 4, which is currently among the most serious fungal vascular diseases worldwide. By using the portable POCKIT™ device with the novel primer set iiFoc-1/iiFoc-2, the Foc race 4 iiPCR assay (including DNA amplification and signal monitoring) could be completed within one hour. The developed Foc race 4 iiPCR assay is thus a user-friendly and efficient platform designed specifically for the detection of Foc race 4. The detection limit of this optimized Foc iiPCR system was estimated to be 1 copy of the target standard DNA as well as 1 fg of the Foc genomic DNA. This approach can serve as a rapid detection method for in planta detection of Foc race 4 in field-infected banana. It was concluded that this molecular detection procedure based on iiPCR has good potential for use as an efficient detection method.

Distribution of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Hard Ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) from Panamanian Urban and Rural Environments (2007-2013).

Tick-borne rickettsiosis is an important emerging disease in Panama; to date, there have been 12 confirmed cases, including eight fatalities. To evaluate the distribution of rickettsiae in Panamanian ticks, we collected questing and on-host ticks in urban and rural towns in elevations varying between 0 and 2300m. A total of 63 sites (13 urban and 50 rural towns) were used to develop models of spatial distributions. We found the following tick species: Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (present in 54 of 63 towns and cities), Amblyomma mixtum (45/63), Dermacentor nitens (40/63), A. ovale (37/63), Rhipicephalus microplus (33/63), A. oblongoguttatum (33/63), Ixodes affinis (3/63), and Ixodes boliviensis (2/63). Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. was present in urban and rural towns, and other species were present only in rural towns. DNA was extracted from 408 R. sanguineus s.l., 387 A. mixtum, 103 A. ovale, and 11 A. oblongoguttatum and later tested for rickettsiae genes using PCR. Rickettsia DNA was detected in ticks from 21 of 63 localities. Rickettsia rickettsii was detected in five A. mixtum (1.29%), and Candidatus "Rickettsia amblyommii" was found in 138 A. mixtum (35%), 14 R. sanguineus (3.4%), and one A. ovale (0.9%). These results suggest that much of rural Panama is suitable for the expansion of tick populations and could favor the appearance of new tick-borne rickettsiosis outbreaks.

Physicochemical and sensorial quality of banana genotypes

ABSTRACT Despite the diversity of banana varieties in Brazil, only a few cultivars have the proper agronomic traits and fruit quality for commercial exploitation. This study aimed at evaluating the physicochemical traits and sensorial acceptance of banana genotypes, in order to identify those with potential for commercial growing. Six improved banana genotypes were assessed (BRS Maravilha, PC 0101, FHIA 18, TM 2803, YB 4203 and BRS Caipira), as well as three commercial cultivars (Grand Naine, Pacovan and Prata Anã). Analyses of peel and pulp color, peel thickness, pulp yield, moisture, pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, total carotenoids and sensorial acceptance were performed. The BRS Maravilha, FHIA 18, YB 4203 and BRS Caipira genotypes presented physicochemical traits similar to the Grand Naine, Pacovan and Prata Anã commercial cultivars. The BRS Maravilha and TM 2803 genotypes had sensorial acceptance similar to the Prata Anã and Grand Naine cultivars, and are therefore promising for commercial growing, with the advantage of being resistant to the black Sigatoka and Panama disease.

The antagonistic effect of Banana bunchy top virus multifunctional protein B4 against Fusarium oxysporum

SummaryThe viral‐induced banana bunchy top disease and the fungal‐induced banana blight are two major causes of concern for industrial scale production of bananas. Banana blight is particularly troublesome, affecting ∼80% of crops worldwide. Strict guidelines and protocols are in place in order to ameliorate the effects of this devastating disease, yet little success has been achieved. From the data presented here, we have found that Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV)‐infected bananas are more resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). BBTV appears to be antagonistic towards Foc, thus improving the survivability of plants against blight. The BBTV suppressor of RNA silencing, namely protein B4, displays fungicidal properties in vitro. Furthermore, transgenic tomatoes expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged protein B4 demonstrate enhanced resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol). Differential gene expression analysis indicates that increased numbers of photogenesis‐related gene transcripts are present in dark‐green leaves of B4‐GFP‐modified tomato plants relative to those found in WT plants. Conversely, the transcript abundance of immunity‐related genes is substantially lower in transgenic tomatoes compared with WT plants, suggesting that plant defences may be influenced by protein B4. This viral–fungal interaction provides new insights into microbial community dynamics within a single host and has potential commercial value for the breeding of transgenic resistance to Fusarium‐related blight/wilt.