Evidence of Panama disease, also known as Fusarium wilt, has been discovered on a banana plantation in Central Mindanao in the Philippines, the regional Department of Agriculture revealed yesterday.
It is the first time the devastating disease has been found in the banana-producing region, according to a report by Business World.
The disease was discovered on a 3ha lakatan-variety plantation in Alabel, Sarangani, said Pepito S Leysa, chief of the agriculture department’s Regional Crop Protection Centre (RCPC).
Previously found in other parts of the Philippines, this is the first time the disease has appeared in Central Mindanao.
It is unclear if it is the new strain of Panama disease, race 4, which has been threatening the previously resistant Cavendish banana variety.
Either way, common varieties in Mindanao such as latundan, señorita or lakatan are at risk.
The Alabel plantation was also infected with the banana bunchy top virus and moko and sigatoka diseases, said Mr Leysa.
At least three large banana producers operate in the affected region; Global Fruits Corp, Dole Stanfilco and Upland Banana Corp.
