Researchers from ENDURE partners Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and CIRAD are among those contributing to a new study which shows that fungicides are losing their effectiveness against Black Sigatoka (Black Leaf Streak Disease or BLSD), a devastating disease in banana crops.
Black Sigatoka or BLSD (pictured right) is caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis in banana crops. It’s a situation exacerbated by the fact that Cavendish bananas, which form the vast majority of bananas for export and represent more than half of global production, are particularly vulnerable to the disease.
WUR reports that an analysis of 592 P. fijensis isolates from seven banana-producing countries across three continents shows how P. fijensis is “evolving to insensitivity to azole fungicides due to the heavy use of pesticides”.
WUR explains how the study, published in Pest Management Science, underlines the need to break the vicious circle of increased fungicides/reduced efficacy by developing alternative disease control methods and new banana varieties.
WUR reports: “In most countries, banana production relies on continual intensive disease control, usually at weekly intervals, throughout the year. It demonstrates the fragility of global banana production and its overall unsustainability. Azole fungicides are the cornerstone for fungal disease control in plants, animals and humans.
“This study is the first comprehensive analysis of reduced sensitivity to these fungicides in banana production. In their study, researchers of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and their collaborators, analyzed 592 P. fijensis isolates from seven countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Southeast Asia for the sensitivity to three azole fungicides.
“In addition, they sequenced the target gene - Pfcyp51 - in 266 isolates, to determine every mutation and analyzed the overall genomes of 155 isolates to study geographical clustering. All identified mutations could be associated with reduced sensitivity to the fungicides. This trend results in a vicious circle of even more fungicide applications in banana cultivation. Taken together, these alarming data call for a new view on sustainable banana production. For the benefit of the manifold producers and domestic and international consumers.”
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Last update: 24/05/2023 - ENDURE © 2009 - Contact ENDURE - Disclaimer