Tectus Matrix® Proven as a Preventative & Curative for Panamá Disease, FOC TR4 at Texas A&M University
This report is not an endorsement of the Tectus Matrix® product by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Tests prepared by Dr. Young-Ki Jo, Plant Pathology and Microbiology Building, College Station, Texas.
Tectus Matrix® Bio Assay Evaluation (Preventative and Curative Applications) for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (TR4) in Cavendish banana. In-vitro tests at TAMU showed preventive and curative activity at four strengths. Randomized in-vivo tests on live banana plants were completed in June 2020. The bioassay report was positive as a curative and a preventative of banana wilt.
Background of Panamá Disease
Panama disease (Banana Fusarium wilt) infects banana plants (Musa spp.). It is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC) mutation TR4 in the soil. The pathogen is resistant to conventional fungicides; control has been limited to biosecurity.
During the 1950s the first outbreak almost wiped out commercial Gros Michel production. A new outbreak of Tropical Race 4 now threatens Cavendish, today’s dominant export cultivar.
FAO: “TR4 is the most destructive of all banana plant diseases… there is no known fungicidal treatment.” Infected land can be unavailable for bananas for decades. Without intervention, FAO warns TR4 will annihilate the majority of Cavendish plantations by 2040.
In short, FOC TR4 is a pandemic of bananas. Tectus Matrix® is the first proven curative and preventative treatment against TR4.
[1] FAO. 2019 Food Outlook — Bi-Annual Report on Global Food Markets. November 2019. Rome.
