Microbial Management of Fusarium Wilt in Banana: A Comprehensive Overview

Abstract

Globally, the production of bananas (Musa sp. L.) often suffers from various environmental challenges. Among them, biotic stress-induced disease caused by phytopathogenic soil microorganisms is the most threatening factor. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Foc Tropical Race 4 (Foc-TR4) is an important soilborne fungus triggering the severe disease, Fusarium wilt (Panama disease) in bananas. Following infection in a wide variety of bananas, strain Foc-TR4 harshly reduced their cultivation. Herein, we have summarized the present scenario of Fusarium wilt disease. Numerous challenges have been proposed by researchers to control the Panama disease as well as to improve banana production. Primarily aiming at increasing disease tolerance to bananas and improving their cultivation, various management strategies like crop rotation, burning of rice husks, biological soil disinfection, and use of chemical fungicides have been developed. However, these chemical and cultural practices have several drawbacks and therefore not often used. Plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria offer one of the most environmentally friendly, effective, safe, and economically sound solution to combat the Panama disease. Apart from growth promotion, this PGPR prevents phyto-pathogen-induced diseases. The recent chapter highlights the utilization of beneficial and antagonistic PGPR and their efficacy against diseases, and bacterial-mediated mechanisms involved in managing Panama disease. Induced systemic resistance (ISR), production of antibiotics, extracellular enzymes, cyanogenic compounds, siderophores, and other antifungal metabolites are the main mechanisms involved in PGPR-induced disease suppression. It will be possible to build or select sustainable management techniques to prevent or aid to minimize Fusarium wilt incidence in banana plantations using the scientific knowledge gathered in this research. The use of indigenous PGP rhizobacteria in plant disease control is gaining popularity as environmental and health concerns underscore the need for a more sustainable agriculture system. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.