Sep 17, 2020
In a major research, scientists from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) claim to have found a cure for one of the most dreaded agricultural diseases. The fungal disease ‘Fusarium Wilt’, aka ‘Panama Disease’ troubles banana plants primarily. For the first time, Indian scientists have brought out a biopesticide that can control the said disease. The amazing part is, this biopesticide has been made by using another fungus to kill Panama Disease.
Panama Disease is considered one of the most deadly infection that it is sometimes referred to as ‘banana cancer’. The fungus resides below ground in the soil and infects the plant, rising up through its roots and entering the stems where it stays. The infection then stops water and essential nutrients from being transported to the rest of the plant, eventually the plant wilts.
Back in 2017, a major disease outbreak was reported in the farms of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It was then the ICAR’s Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, along with the National Research Centre for Bananas, Central Institute of Sub-Horticulture, decided to tackle this problem.
It was discovered that ICAR scientists had already developed herbicide that was effective on Fusarium Wilt for tomatoes and chillies. The scientists decided that they would modify this formulation to tackle Panama Disease.
Later in 2018, the field trials of this new bio-fungicide began. It was called ‘ICAR FUSCIONT’ which was made from a novel strain of fungi called ‘Trichoderma EC’. The working of the bio-fungicide goes this way: the created fungicide can control the Fusarium fungi from multiplying and affecting the roots. It also adds to the immunity of the banana plant. The fungicide needs to be applied at regular intervals during the crop cycle of the banana plant, which is for 14-16 months.
Amazingly the results of the experiments have been very encouraging. Many farmers, who spoke with the media, said this new fungicide has been a God-send remedy. They have seen their banana plantation revive in less than three months of which they are very happy about as the crops look very promising.