First Report of Fusarium Wilt of Cavendish Bananas Caused by <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>cubense</i> Tropical Race 4 in the Grande Comoros Island
Mouzdalifa Mmadi, Hamza Abdou Azali, Diane Mostert, Isabelle Robeǹe, Altus Viljoen
Abstract
. 2020), thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. These results provide scientific proof of the presence of Foc TR4 in a second island in the Comoros archipelago. Comprehensive surveys will be conducted in all three of the Comoros Islands to assess the presence and impact of Foc TR4 to implement containment strategies. Collaborative initiatives and coordinated actions among growers and other stakeholders are needed to prevent the spread of Foc TR4 to more Southwest Indian Ocean islands and countries on the East African coasts. The importance of banana for food security and livelihoods, and the unique genetic diversity of bananas found on the Comoros islands, requires the eradication and isolation of diseased bananas on the short term, and the screening of local banana varieties for Foc TR4 resistance on the longer term.