Diseases Of Banana Research Articles

Inventory and Management of Fungi Associated with Banana Plant through the Use of <i>Allium ampeloprasum</i> and <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> Extracts

Despite the nutritional, economic and medicinal values of banana plant, independent of the region and production system is confronted with some diseases such as the fungi disease. These fungal diseases are responsible for the low yields. The objective of this study was to improve the sanitary state of banana plant. To achieve this objective, fungi associated with banana leaves were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) culture medium and their identification was done on the basis of morphological and microscopic characteristics using reference documents. Antifungal activity of Allium ampeloprasum and Cymbopogon citratus extracts were evaluated in vitro on agar medium on the development of Pseudocercospora fijiensis, P. musicola and Pestalopsis sp. The results showed that banana plant harbours a diversity of fungal species, the most frequent being P. fijiensis (51.58%), Pestalopsis sp. (15.47%) and P. musicola (12.03%). Aqueous extracts of C. citratus at the concentration of 15 mg/ml, inhibited 100% of the radial growth of P. fijiensis and Pestalopsis sp with a fungitoxic activity. Similarly, ethanolic extract A. ampeloprasum inhibited at 100% the radial growth of Pestalopsis sp. This antifungal activity was fungistatic. These results suggest that the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the tested plants could be used as alternatives to chemical products in the fight against banana diseases especially Sigatoka. Hence further studies need to be undertaken to isolate the active compounds from these extracts with fungicidal potential.

An Interactive, Online Web Map Resource of Global Fusarium oxysporum ff. spp. Diversity and Distribution.

An Interactive, Online Web Map Resource of Global Fusarium oxysporum ff. spp. Diversity and Distribution.

Morphological Diversity of Fungal Strains Responsible for Dessert Banana Rot, Musa Sapientum (Musaceae) Produced in the South Comoe Region on Ivory Coast

Aims: The banana dessert grown in different regions of the world, encounters important difficulties that cause it to lose its marketability especially because of the diseases related to conservation. The objective here is to identify the strains responsible for fungal diseases of bananas when it is stored.
 Study Design: This study was undertaken in order to ensure the competitiveness of the dessert banana from Ivory Coast on the international market which is threatened by the recurrent problem of post-harvest rot.
 Place and Duration of Study: Agrovalorisation Laboratory, Agroforestry Training and Research Unit, Université Jean Lorougnon GUEDE Daloa Côte d'Ivoire, between February 2021 and March 2022.
 Methodology: The study involved 120 bananas divided into two batches of 10 hands each, one with signs of necrosis and the other with no signs. Banana fragments (crown, epicarp and explant) were deposited on the growing media at several distinct points and slightly embedded in the agar. The resulting colonies were transplanted successively until a pure strain was obtained from a single mushroom colony per petri dish.
 Results: A total of 11 different genera were identified from 105 isolates. 57 are from necrotic bananas and 36 from bananas with no signs of necrosis. Fungal strains isolated there are: Trichoderma sp. (15%), Fusarium sp. (1%), Scytalidium sp. (39%), Mucor sp. (1%), Scopulariopsis sp. (1%), Alternaria sp. (4%), Aureobasidium sp. (1%), Aspergillus of the Glaucus group (10%), Cladosporium sp. (2%), Pseudallescheria sp. (6%) and Chrysosporium sp. (20%). No strains of the genus Colletotrichum musea responsible for anthracnose that can develop on both green and ripe fruit have been isolated. However, morphological characterization has not among to identify several other species (12) especially those not sporulating.
 Conclusion: This diversity of isolated strains in this work is identical to that most frequently isolated and cited in the literature.

Antifungal Mechanism of Metabolites from Newly Isolated Streptomyces sp. Y1-14 against Banana Fusarium Wilt Disease Using Metabolomics.

Banana Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) is one of the most destructive banana diseases in the world, which limits the development of the banana industry. Compared with traditional physical and chemical practices, biological control becomes a promising safe and efficient strategy. In this study, strain Y1-14 with strong antagonistic activity against Foc TR4 was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a banana plantation, where no disease symptom was detected for more than ten years. The strain was identified as Streptomyces according to the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and the phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA. Streptomyces sp. Y1-14 also showed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity against the selected 12 plant pathogenic fungi. Its extracts inhibited the growth and spore germination of Foc TR4 by destroying the integrity of the cell membrane and the ultrastructure of mycelia. Twenty-three compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antifungal mechanism was investigated further by metabolomic analysis. Strain Y1-14 extracts significantly affect the carbohydrate metabolism pathway of Foc TR4 by disrupting energy metabolism.

Impacts of banana blood disease outbreak to the farmers’ households food security in Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

Bananas are cultivated everywhere in Indonesia, including in the dryland areas of East Nusa Tenggara. In the province, diferrent banana cultivars are cultivated for different purposes. Well adapted the dry climate, Musa ABB Pisang Kepok is the most widely cultivated in the province, including in Sumba Island where it is known locally as Pisang Marmi. Unfortunately, despite its ability to adapt to dry climate, this banana cultivar is susceptible to most destructive disease of banana, especially to blood diseaae of banana (BDB). It was not surprising that when an outbreak of this disease took place in the island in early 2000s, it was this banana cultivar that was suffered the most. This article was based on a research project conducted in 2019, aimed at determining impacts caused by the outbreak to local economy, especially to food security, and understanding responses of the local governments to the outbreak. The study employed a mixed method approach, in which data were collected through a survey by interviewing 63 farmers, community leaders, and government officers. The resulting quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis, whereas the qualitative data were subject to thematic analysis. Results of the analysis indicated that the BDB outbreak severely impacted the local food security in particular and the local economy in general. The outbreak was still ravaging, kept spreading, destroying bananas in the island, especially the Musa ABB Pisang Kepok known locally as Pisang Marmi. The district government where the outbreak first started did take the necessary control measures. However, such control measures was taken too late after the disease had spread out throughout the district, allowing the disease to spread further East destroying bananas in the hree other districts. In addition, the participation of local farmers in controlling the disease was low because lack of information, limited available resources, and governance regime that far from collaborative, not too mention adaptive. Who finally suffered the most were small-scale farmers whose food and income depended heavily on bananas. The kept-spreading disease posed similar threats to farmer is nearby islands of Flores and Timor.

Quantitation of Multipartite Banana Bunchy Top Virus Genomic Components and Their Transcripts in Infected Tissues of Banana (Musa acuminata)

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), caused by a Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), is the most devastating viral disease of bananas. The genome of multipartite BBTV is about 1 Kb in size and comprises six circular single-stranded (ss) DNA components, namely DNA-R, C, S, M, U3, and N. Gene expression in multipartite DNA viruses is highly flexible due to variations in the copy number and transcript levels of individual genomic components. This enables them to adapt to changing conditions and maintain optimal fitness. In the current study, the copy number of each genetic component of BBTV and its transcript level were determined in the leaf, midrib, and root tissue of the infected banana plant. The results of the study showed that DNA copies (copies/ng) were higher in midrib (11,105 ± 10,704.42), followed by leaf (6902.91 ± 1651.14), and were lowest in root (23.49 ± 9.21) tissues. In contrast, the transcript level was highest in the root (312.45 ± 106.69) and lowest in the midrib (0.72 ± 0.16). This suggests that BBTV independently regulates the transcriptional level of each DNA component. The distribution of BBTV in different tissues assists the identification of significantly higher viral load tissues for early and sensitive disease diagnosis, which will be beneficial for better disease management.

Evidence of Resistance to QoI Fungicides in Contemporary Populations of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, M. musicola and M. thailandica from Banana Plantations in Southeastern Brazil

Yellow and black Sigatoka, caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis and M. musicola, respectively, are the most important worldwide foliar diseases of bananas. Disease control is heavily dependent on intensive fungicide sprays, which increase selection pressure for fungicide resistance in pathogen populations. The primary objective of this study was to assess the level and spread of resistance to quinone-outside inhibitors (QoI—strobilurin) fungicides in populations of both pathogens sampled from banana fields under different fungicide spray regimes in Southeastern Brazil. Secondly, we aimed to investigate when QoI resistance was confirmed if this was associated with the target-site alteration G143A caused by a mutation in the mitochondrial encoded cytochrome b gene. QoI resistance was detected in fungicide treated banana fields, while no resistance was detected in the organic banana field. A total of 18.5% of the isolates sampled from the pathogens’ populations were resistant to QoI. The newly described M. thailandica was also found. It was the second most abundant Mycosphaerella species associated with Sigatoka-like leaf spot symptoms in the Ribeira Valley and the highest level of QoI resistance was found for this pathogen. The G143A cytochrome b alteration was associated with the resistance to the QoI fungicides azoxystrobin and trifloxystrobin in M. fijiensis, M. musicola and M. thailandica strains. In order to reduce resistance development and maintain the efficacy of QoI fungicides, anti-resistance management strategies based on integrated disease management practices should be implemented to control the Sigatoka disease complex.

The Population of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in Brazil Is Not Structured by Vegetative Compatibility Group or by Geographic Origin.

Fusarium wilt, caused by the soilborne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is considered one of the most destructive diseases of bananas in Brazil. In this study, a collection of 194 monosporic isolates from several banana-producing regions located in different climatic zones along a south-to-north transect in Brazil was formed to assess the genetic structure of the population of Foc. The isolates underwent pathogenicity tests, PCR diagnosis for the detection of tropical race 4, and screening of SIX homolog genes that produce putative effector proteins. The vegetative compatibility group (VCG) of 119 isolates was determined by pairing against 17 internationally known VCG-tester strains. A group of 158 isolates was selected for simple sequence repeat (SSR) genotyping. There was moderate diversity of Foc in Brazil. Eight VCGs were identified: 0120, 0122, 0124, 0125, 0128, 01215, 01220, and 01222, of which 78% of isolates belong to a single VCG, whereas 22% of isolates are assigned to multiple VCGs, belonging to complexes of VCGs. The distribution of VCGs is uneven and independent of the banana genotype. The isolates of a VCG shared a similar profile of SIX homologs, but there was no association with geographic region. Four SSR loci were polymorphic, and, on average, 7.5 alleles were detected per locus. Thirty-five multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified. There was no association between VCG and MLGs, and no genetic structure of the population of Foc in Brazil was detected.

Host-delivered-RNAi-mediated resistance in bananas against biotic stresses

Both the biotic and abiotic stressors restrict the yield potential of many crops, including bananas. Bananas belong to the genus Musa and are the world’s most popular and widely produced fruit for their nutritional and industrial importance. The demand for bananas is growing each day worldwide. However, different pest infestations are hampering the production of bananas, making it a matter of concern for global food security. Several biotechnological tools and applications including RNA interference (RNAi) have been employed to enhance the biotic stress resistance in plants. The capacity to silence targeted genes at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels makes the RNAi technique a popular choice for gene knock-down and functional genomics studies in crops. Silencing of different suppressor molecule coding genes through RNAi helps crops to combat the detrimental effects of plant pathogens. The host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) technology, also known as the host-delivered RNAi (HD-RNAi), is nowadays gaining popularity due to its ability to target an array of pathogens, comprising bacteria, nematodes, fungi, viruses, and insects. This methodology is employed to manage disease pest outbreaks in a diverse range of crop species, including bananas. Besides HIGS, virus-induced and spray-induced gene silencing (VIGS and SIGS, respectively) are the potential approaches where RNAi technology is exploited to control plant-pathogenic diseases. The current review emphasizes the different kinds of diseases of bananas and the potential of HD-RNAi, a new-age and promising technology to build a barrier against significant crop and economic loss.

Rapid Detection of Fusarium oxysporum Using Insulated Isothermal PCR and a Rapid, Simple DNA Preparation Protocol.

We developed an insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) method for the efficient and rapid detection of Fusarium oxysporum (Fo), which is a fungus that infects various hosts and causes severe crop losses. The Fo iiPCR method was sensitive enough to detect up to 100 copies of standard DNA template and 10 fg of Fo genomic DNA. In addition, it could directly detect 1 pg of mycelium and 10 spores of Fo without DNA extraction. Our study compared the performance of Fo iiPCR to that of three published in planta molecular detection methods-conventional PCR, SYBR green-based real-time PCR, and hydrolysis probe-based real-time PCR-in field detection of Fo. All diseased field samples yielded positive detection results with high reproducibility when subjected to an Fo iiPCR test combined with a rapid DNA extraction protocol compared to Fo iiPCR with an automated magnetic bead-based DNA extraction protocol. Intraday and interday assays were performed to ensure the stability of this new rapid detection method. The results of detection of Fo in diseased banana pseudostem samples demonstrated that this new rapid detection method was suitable for field diagnosis of Fusarium wilt and had high F1 scores for detection (the harmonic mean of precision and recall of detection) for all asymptomatic and symptomatic Fo-infected banana samples. In addition, banana samples at four growth stages (seedling, vegetative, flowering and fruiting, and harvesting) with mild symptoms also showed positive detection results. These results indicate that this new rapid detection method is a potentially efficient procedure for on-site detection of Fo.

First Report of Curvularia lunata (ON246070) Causing Leaf Spot Disease of Banana from Raiganj, West Bengal, India

Between December 2021 and January 2022, leaf spot disease was observed on leaves of field-grown banana plants in Sarai, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur District, West Bengal. Symptoms first appeared as yellowish brown spots in the middle and margin of leaves. A fungus was isolated from the infected leaf onto potato dextrose agar amended with Monocef. Based on 18S rDNA partial sequencing, the fungus was identified as Curvularia lunata. Disease symptoms developed within 5 days on inoculated detached leaves, and C. lunata was reisolated from the infected spots. This is the first report of C. lunata affecting banana from Sarai.

Multi-site fungicides suppress banana Panama disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4.

Global banana production is currently challenged by Panama disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FocTR4). There are no effective fungicide-based strategies to control this soil-borne pathogen. This could be due to insensitivity of the pathogen to fungicides and/or soil application per se. Here, we test the effect of 12 single-site and 9 multi-site fungicides against FocTR4 and Foc Race1 (FocR1) in quantitative colony growth, and cell survival assays in purified FocTR4 macroconidia, microconidia and chlamydospores. We demonstrate that these FocTR4 morphotypes all cause Panama disease in bananas. These experiments reveal innate resistance of FocTR4 to all single-site fungicides, with neither azoles, nor succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs), strobilurins or benzimidazoles killing these spore forms. We show in fungicide-treated hyphae that this innate resistance occurs in a subpopulation of "persister" cells and is not genetically inherited. FocTR4 persisters respond to 3 μg ml-1 azoles or 1000 μg ml-1 strobilurins or SDHIs by strong up-regulation of genes encoding target enzymes (up to 660-fold), genes for putative efflux pumps and transporters (up to 230-fold) and xenobiotic detoxification enzymes (up to 200-fold). Comparison of gene expression in FocTR4 and Zymoseptoria tritici, grown under identical conditions, reveals that this response is only observed in FocTR4. In contrast, FocTR4 shows little innate resistance to most multi-site fungicides. However, quantitative virulence assays, in soil-grown bananas, reveals that only captan (20 μg ml-1) and all lipophilic cations (200 μg ml-1) suppress Panama disease effectively. These fungicides could help protect bananas from future yield losses by FocTR4.

Review on Broken-down Resistance to Diseases and Its Management; the Hidden Challenge in Breeding and Production of Banana and Plantains in Developing Countries

Resistant breakdown is the genetic vulnerability that is devastating agriculture breeding and production of banana worldwide, therefore threateningburgeoning population.It takes 15 to 20 years for banana breeding pipeline and other stakeholders to release a cultivar that is fully evaluated to farmers. Disease like fusarium wilt disease (race 1) was reported to wipe away Gros Michel and the Tropical Race 4 (TR4) has wiped away all cultivars which were resistant to race1. Again banana breeding for resistant to sigatoka successively bred and released many hybrids but of recently of these hybrids including FHIA hybrids, Yagambi KM 5, Paka, young Calcutta 4 and T8 has lost their resistant to sigatoka. Due to political and commercial pressures, it is true that most of the released resistant cultivars are from single effective genes. Though durable resistance with a single dominant gene has been a serious challenge to achieve in breeding, this is because of broken-down resistance. This review used online resource to identify some causes of broken resistance in banana and provided some possible solutions to increase durability. Causes of broken resistance includes the practice of monoculture in large area, illegal use of chemicals, multiple infections, evolution of pathogens as the result of recombination, mutations, nature of interaction exhibited by released cultivars, low genetic base in banana, gene flow, through introductions of pathogens and climate change. It is widely accepted that different agronomic practices combined with strategic breeding and release of cultivars can elongate durability of resistant cultivars to pathogens in agricultural system. Through all the literature searched it is being unveiled yet the factors that govern quality and durability of resistance in resistant cultivars. I hereby conclude that breeding for resistance to diseases in banana should go par pursue with other disease management strategies. This is aimed at increasing durability of resistance to diseases in this highly expensive produced banana and plantain hybrids.

Draft Genome Sequences of Dickeya Species Associated with Soft Rot Diseases in Pineapple (Ananas comosus) and Banana (Musa spp.).

Dickeya species cause soft rots on many commercial crops. Here, we present the draft genomes of Dickeya oryzae (BRIP 64262) and Dickeya zeae (BRIP 64263) isolates causing soft rot on banana (Musa spp.) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) plants, respectively. This expands the range of available genomes from plant-pathogenic Dickeya species.

Incidence of crown rot disease of banana (Musa AAA) and pathogenicity of the causal organisms from the tropical forest eco-zone of Ghana

Incidence of crown rot disease of banana (<i>Musa</i> AAA) and pathogenicity of the causal organisms from the tropical forest eco-zone of Ghana

Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum Bacterial Infection Induces Organ-Specific Callose and Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Banana

Xanthomonas campestris pv . musacearum ( Xcm) bacteria cause banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), the most destructive disease of bananas in East and Central Africa. During early stages of infection in susceptible banana cultivars, incomplete systemic movement of Xcm limits bacterial colonization in the upper organs. The mechanistic basis of this delayed movement is unknown. We hypothesized that Xcm infection triggers basal pattern-triggered immune (PTI) responses whose spatial and temporal variability along the banana's anatomical structure accounts for initially limiting Xcm in upper organs. Hence, we examined PTI responses such as callose deposition and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in different organs in response to Xcm infection in BXW-susceptible Kayinja and Mbwazirume banana cultivars and wild resistant progenitor Musa balbisiana. Xcm-induced callose increased and peaked at 14 days postinoculation (dpi) and 28 dpi as assessed by fluorescence microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. The levels of Xcm-induced H2O2 and callose were highest in the pseudostems and corms, respectively, and were independent of host susceptibility or resistance to BXW. H2O2 production showed a biphasic transient pattern with an initial increase at 1-hour post Xcm inoculation (hpi), followed by a decline 3 to 6 hpi and then a second increase by 12 hpi. Our findings point to organ-specific responses to Xcm infection in bananas. The corm, which doubles as a subterranean perennating organ and interface between mother plants and lateral shoots, was the most responsive organ in callose production, whereas the pseudostem was the most responsive organ in H2O2 production, suggesting the significance of these organs in banana response to BXW. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

FoCupin1, a Cupin_1 domain-containing protein, is necessary for the virulence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) is an important soilborne fungal pathogen that causes the most devastating banana disease. Effectors secreted by microbes contribute to pathogen virulence on host plants in plant-microbe interactions. However, functions of Foc TR4 effectors remain largely unexplored. In this study, we characterized a novel cupin_1 domain-containing protein (FoCupin1) from Foc TR4. Sequence analysis indicated that the homologous proteins of FoCupin1 in phytopathogenic fungi were evolutionarily conserved. Furthermore, FoCupin1 could suppress BAX-mediated cell death and significantly downregulate the expression of defense-related genes in tobacco by using the Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression system. FoCupin1 was highly induced in the early stage of Foc TR4 infection. The deletion of FoCupin1 gene did not affect Foc TR4 growth and conidiation. However, FoCupin1 deletion significantly reduced Foc TR4 virulence on banana plants, which was further confirmed by biomass assay. The expression of the defense-related genes in banana was significantly induced after inoculation with FoCupin1 mutants. These results collectively indicate FoCupin1 is a putative effector protein that plays an essential role in Foc TR4 pathogenicity. These findings suggest a novel role for cupin_1 domain-containing proteins and deepen our understanding of effector-mediated Foc TR4 pathogenesis.

The importance of proximity dimensions in agricultural knowledge and innovation systems: The case of banana disease management in Rwanda

CONTEXTSocial networks play an important role in the diffusion of knowledge, and farmers draw on their personal networks to enhance their adaptive capacity to shocks. Different forms of proximity have been long recognized as important factors in knowledge and information exchanges. However, the specific roles and their interactions in agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKISs) are still far from clear. In this study, we investigate the underlying forces that drive tie formation within the knowledge-sharing networks of banana farmers in four different villages in Rwanda. OBJECTIVEOur study has three objectives: First, we discuss the importance of various types of proximities in AKIS research. Second, we empirically contribute to how different forms of proximity influence the way knowledge diffuses in formal and informal networks by studying a plant disease's management. Finally, we discuss our findings' relevance for targeted interventions to help rural communities transition to greater resilience. METHODSWe review different proximity concepts and adapt them for use within an AKIS context. We then apply this framework to assess the proximity effects on the advice-seeking networks of banana farmers in four purposefully chosen villages in Rwanda. We used a structured questionnaire to collect social network information about the management of banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), from all banana growers (N = 491) in these four villages. We distinguished the informal advice networks among farmers from the official government extension system—the formal advice network. We employed exponential random-graph models to assess the determinants of the networks we observed, especially geographical, cognitive and social proximity indices. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe found that geographical proximity significantly affects knowledge exchange within larger villages' informal advice networks; but not in smaller villages, where both cognitive and social proximities play substantial roles. We argue that farmers are socially closer in smaller communities where geographical distance does not matter, and that geographical distance only starts to matter after a certain community size threshold is reached. SIGNIFICANCEWe provide solid empirical evidence to help plan targeted interventions toward greater resilience for rural communities. We argue that properly integrating informal social networks can result in more effective knowledge exchange within AKISs, enhancing their resilience.

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Three Plant Defense Stimulators on the in vitro Growth of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, Causal Agent of Black Sigatoka Disease of Banana

The study aimed at controlling the mycelial growth and germination of Mycosphaerella fijiensis in Petri dish by using three plant defense stimulators. Approximately, 2 mL of each stimulator (Vacciplant®, Callel® and calliete®) were added to the different M. fijiensis culture media. The results obtained show that Vacciplant® and Callel® promote the in vitro growth of M. fijiensis contrary to calliete® which inhibits it. Indeed, it causes total mortality (100%) of conidia at the sporulation stage.

Interview with Shay Shaanan, STK Bio-Ag Technologies

STK was previously known as Stockton. It was started in 1994 by Peter Tirosh who left a 23-year career at Makhteshim-Agan (now ADAMA) to set up his own generic company buying solutions from China and selling them into Latin America where he had good connections from his previous jobs. In 2004, Peter met two people from an Israeli start-up who told him about an idea to take tea-tree oil (TTO) from Pharma where it was used as an anti-bacterial agent and develop it into a solution for crop protection. Peter cooperated with them and after two years acquired the company. With money from Stockton they investigated TTO in more detail, worked out which diseases it controlled, how to formulate and use it, and in 2012, discovered that TTO controlled black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis), a key disease in LATAM bananas at the time. In 2015 there was a change in company ownership when a new CEO was appointed from outside the family. Following a $90 million investment from a public Chinese company, a new strategy was implemented in 2016 to develop and market botanical crop solutions for sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, and a rebranding in 2018 changed the company name from Stockton to STK to reflect the company's transition from its legacy generic agrochemicals business to its new focus on bio-ag technology and botanical-based solutions. The biofungicide Timorex Gold is its flagship product and based on TTO derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It is a broad spectrum biofungicide with preventive and curative properties recommended for the control of many important plant fungal and bacterial diseases in a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops. It can be used in rotations with other products, in tank mixes and as a solo formulation. The TTO extract contains over 100 compounds, some of which work synergistically and some which offer diverse modes of action.