A pilot study investigating the complexity of Fusarium wilt of bananas in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Fusarium wilt symptoms were observed on 15 different banana cultivars growing in commercial plantations and backyard holdings, in 6 districts in the Province of West Sumatra, Indonesia. Affected cultivars included the most popular dessert bananas Pisang buai (AAA), Pisang raja (AAB), Pisang raja serai (AAB), and Pisang ambon (AAA). Disease symptoms were also observed on the most popular cooking banana Pisang kepok (ABB), formerly considered to be resistant. However, no disease symptoms were observed on wild Musa species.

The 37 isolates of the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) recovered from the vascular tissue of the diseased bananas were assigned to the vegetative compatability groups (VCGs) 0120–01215, 0124, 01213–01216, 01218, and 01219. VCG 01216 was isolated from all districts, and from 14 of the 15 cultivars exhibiting wilt symptoms. However, the distribution of the other VCGs was more variable, reflecting the patterns of human migration within the different districts. Districts designated as expanding urban centres or as transmigration centres had a higher diversity of banana genotypes present, with a correspondingly higher diversity of VCGs isolated from the diseased plants. The traditional practice of transplanting banana suckers and rhizomes irrespective of the disease status of the parent plant, and the recent increase in the mobility of the Indonesian population, indicate that disease control strategies based on quarantine will not be effective. Accordingly, the selection of both popular dessert and cooking banana cultivars with resistance to VCG 01216 should be a priority for the control of Fusarium wilt in West Sumatra.