hostpathogen interactions, epidemiologies and control strategies for the different Fusarium wilts are quite similar. However, the
perennial host and polycyclic nature of Fusarium wilt of banana
make its management a great challenge (Ploetz, 2007). The huge
volumes of soil that would require treatment over long periods of
time underscore the implausibility of protective or therapeutic
control. For example, Smith (as quoted byStover, 1962) recognized
that “…the impossibility of …”fungicidal management “…on a
commercial basis barely needs consideration….”And the importance and susceptibility of the Cavendish subgroup highlight the
need for resistant, productive genotypes (Ploetz and Evans, in
press).
Despite a considerable body of literature which indicates that
diverse measures can be used to manage this disease (see
Thangavelu and Mustaffa, 2012), there are actually few effective
options. Unfortunately, most of the control measures that have
been reported have not been tested in real world situations infield
environments. Unrealistic expectations are common. Where Cavendish cultivars would be grown in TR4-infested areas it will be
necessary to produce other crops, GCTCV somaclones, or resistant
cultivars, such as those described byXu et al. (2011). These are
generally undesirable alternatives, since productivity and market
acceptance for the somaclones is lower and low productivity or
small markets exist for the other cultivars. Clearly, resistance is
needed for Cavendish and other susceptible cultivars
(Buddenhagen, 1990; Ortiz, 2013; Ploetz and Evans, in press)