TR4 Global Network

FAO

TR4 Global Network

An initiative of the World Banana Forum

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 2p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) TR4 Global Network. An initiative of the World Banana Forum is the corporate brochure of the TR4 Global Network (TR4GN). It showcases the role of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as a leader in global efforts to combat the spread of Tropical race (TR4), a fungus that is ravaging banana and plantain farms on three continents. The audience for the corporate brochure is primarily policy-makers and decision-makers, but it is also relevant to experts, academia, students, the media and the general public. Along with a historical look at the disease affecting bananas and plantains, the brochure clarifies the globally recognized terms used to discuss TR4. That is, it differentiates between: the disease (Banana Fusarium Wilt); the fungus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense); and the current strain of fungus (Tropical race 4 or TR4). Key takeaways listed in the brochure include: there is currently no cure for TR4; TR4 can be transmitted through shoes, vehicles, farm tools and equipment, but also through drainage water, surface run-off water and floods; the most effective approach to combat TR4 is prevention of its spread into clean areas and immediate containment once it is detected; diversification of banana and plantain crops and agroecological practices that support sustainability are also key to help prevent TR4; and both international collaboration and local actions are essential to manage TR4 in affected countries.

Language English

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Preventing the spread and introduction of banana fusarium wilt disease Tropical race 4 (TR4)
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Banana is an important crop for food security and ensuring the livelihoods of approximately 400 million people who depend on the crop either as a staple food or source of income, particularly in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Plant pests and diseases can seriously affect agricultural production and livelihood of rural people. Fusarium wilt of banana is one of the key examples of crop devastation by a plant disease. This disease brought the banana export industry almost to a halt in the 20th century when the popular banana variety Gros Michel was devastated in Central America. The sector was saved by the introduction of the Cavendish variety, which is resistant to race 1 of the fungus. However, Cavendish bananas are now succumbing to a new, highly aggressive strain of the Fusarium wilt fungus, Tropical race 4 (TR4). Fusarium wilt TR4 threatens almost all banana producers, posing the greatest risks to countries producing Cavendish bananas in monoculture plantations in Asia, Australia, Africa, the Near East, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Cavendish bananas, which constitute approximately half of the bananas grown globally are highly susceptible to TR4, but other dessert banana varieties grown in these regions are also susceptible. Once established in a banana plantation, the fungus can survive in the soil for decades with its chlamydospores, even without banana plants. Scientific reports indicate the presence of TR4 in numerous countries in Asia (China – mainland and Taiwan Province), India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Infographic
What is Tropical Race 4?
TR4 Global Network - An initiative of the World Banana Forum
2020

Also available in:

French

The purpose of the infographic What is Tropical Race 4 (TR4)? is to inform the general public on the nature of the Tropical race 4 (TR4) with some key facts on its origins and how it spreads. One fact that is emphasized is that TR4 is not harmful to humans and does not affect the fruit itself. Support is needed for disease management and recovery in affected countries as well as for international collaboration and national actions. This is one of a pair of two infographics on TR4 and its prevention.
Book (stand-alone)

Field survey guidance for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 2025

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Consistent and thorough monitoring and pest surveillance are essential for countries to determine the presence or absence of plant pests, particularly those that significantly affect food security, the environment, trade, and agricultural productivity. This field survey guidance provides easy-to-follow guidelines for technical personnel of national plant protection organizations (NPPOs), to survey Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense Tropical Race 4 (FOC TR4). FOC TR4 is a major pest threatening global banana production, can cause 100 percent yield loss on a farm, and is challenging and costly to manage. This document provides a protocol, with visuals, to aid in the monitoring, detection, sample collection, and diagnostics of FOC TR4, ensuring effective phytosanitary decision-making to manage the pest risk and protect trade in plants and plant products. The field survey guidance complements the digital tools available to NPPO plant health inspectors, through the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP) mobile application and Geographic Information System (GIS) platform.