First Report of Fusarium Wilt of Babaco (Carica × heilbornii var. pentagona) in Ecuador

Babaco, Carica × heilbornii V.M. Badillo var. pentagona (Heilborn) V.M. Badillo, is a fruit native to Ecuador that has great potential as a cultivated crop. Local market demand and strong potential as an export crop have greatly increased interest in babaco production in Ecuador. Although the crop can be produced in open fields, the majority of crop production is in plastic greenhouses. In 1996, a serious wilt disease developed on babaco in several greenhouses, resulting in up to 100% loss of plants. Symptoms first appeared as chlorosis of the lower leaves, followed by defoliation progressing up the stem until the entire plant was defoliated. When cut in cross section, vascular discoloration was observed in the stem. Eventually necrosis and soft rot of the stem occurred and entire plants collapsed. Fungal isolations were conducted from fine feeder roots of diseased plants by soaking root pieces (2 cm long) in a 0.5% solution of sodium hypochlorite for 3 min. Root pieces were cut into smaller sections and ...