An Integrated Management Response to the spread of Fusarium wilt of Banana in South-East Asia

This project aims to characterise how management practices shape the microbiome and affect the susceptibility of bananas to Fusarium wilt by increasing the understanding of host-pathogen-microbiome interactions.

Fusarium wilt of bananas has become widespread throughout South-East Asia. The disease is threatening smallholder banana production in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and more recently Laos. 

This project builds on current and previous ACIAR projects which have been developing management systems for banana production to suppress the disease. The research has identified that increasing diversity in cropping systems leads to an increase in soil biological diversity, which can suppress development of Fusarium wilt.

Therefore, the project is focusing on the banana microbiome, banana farm management and social networks for banana growers.