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INIA joins global eff orts to develop TR4-resistant banana

Peru’s National Institute of Agrarian Innovation is evaluating the adaptability of various new organic varieties at its test facility in Tumbes.

by Maura Maxwell

@maurafruitnet

The detection of Fusarium wilt TR4 on a farm in northern Piura last month has injected fresh urgency into the race for a solution to this devastating disease.

Since its discovery in South east Asia some 50 years ago, the TR4 strain of the devastating Fusarium wilt, or Panama disease, has been spreading across the globe at an increasing pace. As there is currently no known eff ective treatment to control the disease, preventative controls are the only line of defence while the search for a disease-resistant commercial variety continues.

Peru’s National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA) is one of the agencies involved in these eff orts. The institute is running trials on various samples of germplasm to develop TR4 resistance in organic bananas, which make up the bulk of the country’s exports.

In all, 20 varieties developed by Belgium’s International Musa Germplasm Transit Centre (IMGTC) were selected on the basis of their high resistance to TR4.

Dr Juan Carlos Guerrero, who oversees the project, says the germplasm will aid eff orts to develop high-quality new varieties, while also helping to drive research into improved growing and management techniques to enable Peru to boost its presence on international markets.

“In 2019 we started the initiative to introduce germplasm from international research centres from all over the world. We did a lot of research beforehand to determine the most promising genotypes in terms of building TR4 resistance, and on the basis of this we got in touch with IMGTC to request the necessary samples,” Guerrero explains.

“The material will shortly be transferred to the germplasm bank in Tumbes, where we already have a small collection of samples, and later this year we will plant experimental fi elds to evaluate the adaptability of the various diff erent cultivars.”

He estimates that within two to two and half years INIA will have a good idea of which varieties have adapted the best to the local conditions in Piura and Tumbes, home to most of Peru’s 15,000ha of organic banana cultivation.

Guerrero notes that the studies to be carried out will not only facilitate the development of new varieties with high genetic quality, but will also help INIA develop techniques to help growers to be er manage their farms and improve the quality of their export off er.

It is one of several programmes in which INIA is working in collaboration with international institutions across a wide range of issues, from the development of early detection systems for TR4 using molecular technology, to be er diagnostic tools, and improved monitoring systems.

“Panama disease will never be eradicated, so the best way forward is to minimise its impact and contain its spread while the industry works towards the development of new, resistant varieties,” Guerrero says. “In order for this to succeed, collaboration and knowledge sharing is key.” _

TOP—Dr Juan Carlos Guerrero is leading the project at the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation BELOW—INIA will be able to gauge which varieties have adapted best to local conditions within around two years