Potassium Sorbate and Kamantigue Leaves Crude Extract Against Fusarium Wilt
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study Banana is a popular fruit. It's easy to peel, easy to eat, and easy to find, typically located in a prominent spot in the produce section of a grocery store. With the wheels of the grocery cart still moving, we don't stop to think about the battles the banana grower had to fight to provide a perfect fruit for our convenient consumption. Fusarium wilt or Panama disease is a severe disease of banana plants caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. This disease kills susceptible banana plants and there is no cure up to this time and can wipe out entire plantations and neighboring areas if control and containment is not properly managed. The disease is spread by infected planting materials and soil and can move in water flowing over infected areas. Hence, the need for quarantine and farm equipment hygiene is important. (1). Fusarium wilt is the preferred name for what was first called Panama disease because it became prominent in that Central American country early last century. The fungus infects banana plants through the roots and invades the plant’s water conducting tissues. Once Fusarim oxysporum is introduced into banana gardens, it remains in the soil making it impossible to grow susceptible bananas in the same location for up to several decades. (2) The disease is resistant to fungicide and cannot be controlled chemically. (3)
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The fungal pathogens enter the banana tree through the xylem, and then use the water stream to spread the fungal spores throughout the entire plant. These spores lodge into the vessel walls and block the water flow, causing banana leaves to wilt and die. Panama disease often kills entire banana trees. The fungal pathogens can survive in the soil for almost 20 years. This disease is extremely difficult to control, and almost destroyed Central America's banana production back in 1940s and 1950s. (4) In a series of hearings conducted by the Sto. Tomas Sangguniang Bayan
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study Banana is a popular fruit. It's easy to peel, easy to eat, and easy to find, typically located in a prominent spot in the produce section of a grocery store. With the wheels of the grocery cart still moving, we don't stop to think about the battles the banana grower had to fight to provide a perfect fruit for our convenient consumption. Fusarium wilt or Panama disease is a severe disease of banana plants caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. This disease kills susceptible banana plants and there is no cure up to this time and can wipe out entire plantations and neighboring areas if control and containment is not properly managed. The disease is spread by infected planting materials and soil and can move in water flowing over infected areas. Hence, the need for quarantine and farm equipment hygiene is important. (1). Fusarium wilt is the preferred name for what was first called Panama disease because it became prominent in that Central American country early last century. The fungus infects banana plants through the roots and invades the plant’s water conducting tissues. Once Fusarim oxysporum is introduced into banana gardens, it remains in the soil making it impossible to grow susceptible bananas in the same location for up to several decades. (2) The disease is resistant to fungicide and cannot be controlled chemically. (3)
Page | 1
The fungal pathogens enter the banana tree through the xylem, and then use the water stream to spread the fungal spores throughout the entire plant. These spores lodge into the vessel walls and block the water flow, causing banana leaves to wilt and die. Panama disease often kills entire banana trees. The fungal pathogens can survive in the soil for almost 20 years. This disease is extremely difficult to control, and almost destroyed Central America's banana production back in 1940s and 1950s. (4) In a series of hearings conducted by the Sto. Tomas Sangguniang Bayan