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What you need to know about Tropical Race 4

TR4 Global Network - An initiative of the World Banana Forum

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 5

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The flyer, What you need to know about TR4, aims to inform the general public with basic information about Tropical race 4 (TR4). The underlying message is that actions can indeed be taken to help prevent the spread of the pest and that the way forward is for stakeholders across the banana industry to act with urgency and in a collaborative manner. Fusarium Tropical race 4 (TR4) is a strain of the soil born fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense whose spores can lie dormant in the soil until a susceptible plant is established nearby. These spores infect the plant through the roots and inhabit the banana or plantain plant’s xylem vessels, blocking the flow of water and nutrients. Fungicides can't save plants that are already infected with TR4, and the fungus's spores persist in soil for decades. Therefore the most immediate approach to combat TR4 is prevention of its spread into clean areas and containment when it is detected. In the long term, diversification of crops and better use of available genetic resources are key to building resilience to the disease. Agro-ecological innovations will be increasingly important to produce varieties less susceptible to TR4. The flyer focuses on three practical items that a visitor to a banana or plantation farm can do to minimise the risk of spreading TR4.

Language English

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    Guidelines - The prevention of Tropical race TR4 for governmental authorities
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    Developed by the facilitators of the TR4 Global Network (TR4GN), Guidelines on the prevention of Tropical race 4 (TR4) for Governmental Authorities aims to support government authorities and policy makers to design and implement their own bespoke TR4 prevention policies and programmes. Based on a wealth of information gathered by FAO in consultation with various regional, national, and international stakeholders and actors, the guidelines offer advice to governments on how to develop a TR4 action plan; how to develop a TR4 risk management plan; how to develop a TR4 surveillance plan; how to check compliance with biosecurity measures according to international standards; and how to develop a communication strategy on TR4.
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