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Diagnosing Tropical Race 4 from field to lab

TR4 Global Network - An initiative of the World Banana Forum

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 4p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Early detection and diagnosis of the presence of Tropical Race 4 (TR4), combined with rapid destruction of infected banana plants and on-farm restrictions, are the only ways to control and contain the disease-causing fungus. Process on how to diagnose TR4 – From field to lab outlines some actions farmers/growers can take to recognize the symptoms of TR4. These include: always keep an eye out for TR4; notify authorities such as the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) to report any suspected TR4 signs and symptoms; await relevant authorities for specialized inspection; facilitate the collection of samples that can be packaged, labelled, and sent with a secure chain of custody to a specialised laboratory; and ensure laboratory testing, which, alone, can truly confirm a TR4 outbreak. Other possible diagnoses of plants afflicted with TR4-like symptoms are also outlined in the document. Sometimes, what was initially suspected to be TR4 turns out to be a different disease or natural phenomenon. In any case all suspected cases should be treated as potentially hazardous.

Language English

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    2020
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