usarium wilt caused byFusarium oxysporumf.
sp. cubense (E.F. Smith) Snyd. and Hans. is one of the
most destructive diseases of banana worldwide (Moore
et al., 2001). The pathogen is soil-borne and remains
viable up to 30 years (Moore et al., 1995). Breeding
banana for resistance against fusarium wilt is difficult because of the sterile and polyploid nature of the
plant and the saprophytic and pathogenic habits of the
pathogen (Novak, 1992). Several disease management
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Corresponding author. Tel.:+91-431-2618106;
fax: +91-431-2618115.
E-mail address:bananathanga@rediffmail.com (R. Thangavelu)