Screening Banana germplasm against Fusarium wilt

摘要

Banana is one of the most important fruits cultivated in India and ranks equal to mango in its production. However, Fusarium wilt is the most devastating disease affecting commercial banana production causing substantial losses. It is also commonly known as Panama disease. The causal organism was identified as Fusarium axyspora f.sp. cubense. This soil-borne fungus is known to survive for long periods in the field. In India, Panama wilt was first reported from Chinsurah in 1911 and is widespread in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar and Assam. A large number of varieties/ cultivars of banana are grown in India and within each cultivar several clones are reported. It is, therefore, imperative to identify varieties/cultivars/clones which are resistant/tolerant to Fusarium wilt for the successful cultivation and to use them as donors in banana breeding programmes. Hence, field screening of banana geimpJasm in sick plots was done.