DA deploys more pathologists to control Fusarium Wilt in bananas

MANILA, Philippines - The regional field office of the Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region is set to deploy 10 plant pathologists to step up control measures against banana Fusarium Wilt disease.

DA Region XI assistant director Fe Orbe said the plant pathologists would work with LGU technicians in identifying the onset of infestation and implementing control measures. They would also recommend alternative crops for farmers who opt to shift to other crops.

Three plant pathologists would be assigned in Davao del Norte, three in Campostela Valley, two in Davao City and one in Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental respectively.

The DA in Davao Region is now distributing seedlings of a new banana cultivar that is resistant to the destructive Fusarium Wilt disease.

Fusarium Wilt, also known as Panama disease, is a vascular wilt disease caused by fungal infection that enters the plant’s water conducting vessels through the roots.

Wilting and discoloration occurs as the infections spreads to the stems and leaves. It attacks banana plants of all ages and spreads mainly through the soil.

Banana growers in Davao have long been suffering from production losses due to the disease that remains in the soil for years. Various interventions have been implemented, including the use of various biofertilizers and establishment of early detection systems.

Plant breeders of DA Region XI have developed the Giant Cavendish variety GCTCV 219, a cultivar is sweeter than the more popular Grande Naine variety having significantly higher starch levels which covert into sugars during ripening.

The cultivar also has greater acceptability in the international market, promising greater returns for farmers.

The giant Cavendish banana is now sold in Japan as a premium Cavendish variety under the Miyabi brand.

The government, however, does not recommend the immediate replacement of the traditional Cavendish variety with GCTCV 219 and should instead be used as a back up crop in the event of disease contamination.

Dr. Susan Razo, chief of DA Region XI Integrated Laboratories Division, is encouraging banana growers in the region – particularly those belonging to established cooperatives – to submit the necessary documents to acquire the tissue-cultured seedlings.

After submitting the documents, the beneficiaries would undergo training on the cultivation of the GCTCV 219 variety.

Farmers who complete the training would be asked to pass on their knowledge to other farmers who could then avail of the seedlings.

The DA Region XI has allotted a budget of P102 million this year to stop the spread and occurrence of Fusarium Wilt. The funds  would be used for  various interventions such as infestation control and management, as well as information dissemination.

The fund would also be used to establish early detection systems to prevent further damage to banana plants.

The disease has caused massive damage to banana farms in the Davao Region, causing large growers to lose millions in production losses. Most affected were farms in Campostella Valley and Davao del Norte.

Fresh banana is among the country’s top 10 agricultural exports, along with coconut oil, tuna, pineapple products, tobacco, dessicated coconut, seaweed and carrageenan, copra oil cake, centrifugal sugar, and manufactured tobacco.