Wilt disease of banana (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense): Grouping of isolates in their physiological races

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) is a major disease on banana plants in the world and causes huge losses. The pathogen is very difficult to control, because the complexity of the pathogen that consisting in many races and can persist over 40 years without its host plant. This study was aimed to determine the physiological races and grouping of Foc isolates from several banana plantation areas in South Sulawesi. The study consisted of collection of F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense isolates and inoculation test onto plants with a concentration of 106 spores/ml. Barangan, Ambon and Kepok variety obtained from the tissue culture and Heliconia were used as test plants. Fusarium oxysporum fsp. cubense suspension was applied by spraying on banana plant roots. Observation was conducted in the form of first symptoms appearance, leaf symptom development and observation of symptom in rhizome four weeks after inoculation. All of Foc isolates caused severe symptom on banana varieties tested and Heliconia. Based on this finding, it concluded that all isolates of Foc from Makassar, Bantaeng and Gowa district were classified into race IV.