Map prepares contingency plan to prevent entry of new fungus that attacks banana plantations

One of the world's largest banana producers, Brazil works to maintain the health of the crop's planting areas. By the end of August, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) and Embrapa Cassava and Fruit Culture should announce the National Contingency Plan for Panama Disease – a disease currently considered the main threat to banana plantations around the world. In 2016, Brazilian fruit exports totaled US$21,04 million, equivalent to 64,4 thousand tons.

According to Mapa's Department of Plant Health (DSV), the plan envisages the adoption of measures to prevent the introduction of the tropical race 4 of the fungus that causes Panama Disease in Brazil. This new breed is causing major losses in South Asia, the Middle East and Mozambique.

Brazil has lived with race 1950 of the fungus since the 1s, recalls the head of the DSV Prevention, Surveillance and Fold Control Division, Ricardo Kobal. “Race 1 of Panama Disease affects the apple banana variety, causing major losses in production." On the American continent, race 4 has not yet been found and its introduction could cause serious problems in the production of the fruit. Race 4 causes damage to the Prata, Nanica and Nanicão varieties, which represent almost 90% of the banana varieties planted in Brazil.

Through the contingency plan, Mapa and Embrapa will provide information to producers and the general public about what precautions they should take to prevent the disease from entering the national territory. Brazilians who intend to travel to South Asia, the Middle East and Mozambique, places where the fungus is most prevalent, also need to avoid bringing objects made with banana straw, for example. "It is also important that people clean dirt from their shoes and wash their clothes before embarking back to Brazil."

Panama disease is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense that is widespread in banana producing regions of the world. The fungus can survive in the soil for more than 20 years or even on intermediate hosts (specific weeds).

The main forms of spread are diseased plants, soil contaminated with the fungus, transport of soil in agricultural machinery, use of thinning tools infected with the fungus and irrigation water with the presence of fungal spores.