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The distribution and host range of the banana Fusarium wilt fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, in Asia
Fusarium oxysporum formae specialis cubense (Foc) is a soil-borne fungus that causes
Fusarium wilt, which is considered to be the most destructive disease of bananas. The fungus
is believed to have evolved with its host in the Indo-Malayan region, and from there it
was spread to other banana-growing areas with infected planting material. The diversity and
distribution of Foc in Asia was investigated. A total of 594 F. oxysporum isolates collected in
ten Asian countries were identified by vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) analysis. To
simplify the identification process, the isolates were first divided into DNA lineages using
PCR-RFLP analysis. Six lineages and 14 VCGs, representing three Foc races, were identified
in this study. The VCG complex 0124/5 was most common in the Indian subcontinent,
Vietnam and Cambodia; whereas the VCG complex 01213/16 dominated in the rest of Asia.
Sixty-nine F. oxysporum isolates in this study did not match any of the known VCG tester
strains. In this study, Foc VCG diversity in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka was determined
for the first time and VCGs 01221 and 01222 were first reported from Cambodia and
Vietnam. New associations of Foc VCGs and banana cultivars were recorded in all the
countries where the fungus was collected. Information obtained in this study could help
Asian countries to develop and implement regulatory measures to prevent the incursion of
Foc into areas where it does not yet occur. It could also facilitate the deployment of disease
resistant banana varieties in infested areas.
Description:
S1 Table. Morphological identity, PCR-RFLP clade and lineage identity, vegetative compatibility
group, host and host subgroup, location and origin of Fusariumisolates collected
in Asia.
S2 Table. Vegetative compatibility tester strains used to characterize compatibility to
Asian Fusariumoxysporumf. sp. cubense isolates.