Disease: Fusarium wilt of banana

Histological Dissection of Fusarium-Banana Interaction Using a GFP-Tagged Subtropical Race 4 Strain of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense on Banana Cultivars with Differing Levels of Resistance

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Researchers used fluorescently-labeled fungal strains to visualize how banana wilt disease spreads inside banana plants. They found that resistant banana varieties can slow down the fungus by forming blockages (called tyloses) in their water-conducting vessels, though the fungus can still initially enter the plant. The study showed that the rhizome, an underground stem-like structure, is the key location where resistant plants successfully contain the fungus, which helps explain why some banana varieties are naturally more resistant to this devastating disease.

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The complete mitochondrial genome of the banana pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense M5

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Researchers have completed the full genetic map of the mitochondria (energy-producing structures) of a fungus that causes a serious disease in banana plants. The study identified all the genes in this mitochondrial genome and discovered special structures called introns within two genes. This genetic information could help scientists develop better ways to detect and identify this harmful banana pathogen.

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Accessory Chromosome Contributes to Virulence of Banana Infecting Fusarium oxysporum Tropical Race 4

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Scientists studied a dangerous fungal disease that destroys banana crops by examining a special extra chromosome found in the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum Tropical Race 4. They created mutant fungi without this chromosome and found that while the mutants could still grow normally in the lab, they became much less dangerous to banana plants. This discovery shows that this particular chromosome contains genes that help the fungus attack and infect bananas, suggesting potential new ways to combat this devastating crop disease.

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Accessory Chromosome Contributes to Virulence of Banana Infecting Fusarium oxysporum Tropical Race 4

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Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 is a devastating fungal disease that destroys banana crops worldwide, particularly the commercially important Cavendish variety. Researchers discovered that this fungus carries a special accessory chromosome that is not essential for basic fungal survival but is critical for its ability to infect and damage banana plants. By removing this chromosome in laboratory studies, scientists found that infected bananas suffered significantly less damage, suggesting that understanding this chromosome could lead to better strategies for protecting banana crops from this destructive disease.

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