Dossier

Banana cultivation - Black Sigatoka and Panama Disease

Global banana production is under critical attack by widespread fungal diseases. There are two major causes: Panama disease and Black Sigatoka. This is a big problem, because bananas are a staple food for more than 400 million people in the tropics. They are the fourth most consumed food crop, the most consumed non-cereal staple food, and the most consumed fruit in the world.

The livelihoods of millions of people are at stake due to the Panama disease (Fusarium Wilt), caused by the Fusarium fungus, which wipes out banana plantations, contaminates soils for decades and cannot be suppressed. It is currently threatening banana production throughout South-East Asia.

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The fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis causes Black Sigatoka, also a global problem. It is forcing banana producers to use more and more chemical pesticides, with all the attendant detrimental effects on the environment.

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