Together, we can prevent the spread of Tropical Race 4 (TR4)

FAO

Together, we can prevent the spread of Tropical Race 4 (TR4)

TR4 Global Network - An initiative of the World Banana Forum

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 8p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Investments in agriculture, including in innovation in the banana sector, are crucial to increasing the capacity for agricultural productivity and sustainable food production systems are necessary to achieve #ZeroHunger. With a general public audience in mind, the brochure Together, we can prevent the spread of TR4 seeks to explain why bananas and plantains are essential crops around the world for both their economic importance and deep cultural roots. It also highlights the main ways to combat the spread of Tropical race 4 (TR4) which causes the disease Banana Fusarium Wilt (Banana FW). Bananas are the most exported fruit in the world, while plantains contribute greatly to food security and to income generation as a cash crop in countries where they are produced. A transboundary soil-borne fungus, TR4 is recognized as one of the most destructive pests in the history of agriculture and the world’s greatest threat to banana and plantain production. The disease affects many varieties including Cavendish bananas which provide around half of global banana supply. Currently, the most effective approach to combat TR4 is prevention of its spread into clean areas and immediate containment when it is detected. Diversity is also key to prevention of TR4. Diversification of crops and better use of available genetic resources are key to building resilience to the disease in the long term. Emphasis is placed on the support needed for disease management and recovery in TR4 affected countries in which international collaboration and local action are essential.

Language English

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Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
TR4 Global Network
An initiative of the World Banana Forum
2020

Also available in:

Chinese
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TR4 Global Network. An initiative of the World Banana Forum is the corporate brochure of the TR4 Global Network (TR4GN). It showcases the role of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as a leader in global efforts to combat the spread of Tropical race (TR4), a fungus that is ravaging banana and plantain farms on three continents. The audience for the corporate brochure is primarily policy-makers and decision-makers, but it is also relevant to experts, academia, students, the media and the general public. Along with a historical look at the disease affecting bananas and plantains, the brochure clarifies the globally recognized terms used to discuss TR4. That is, it differentiates between: the disease (Banana Fusarium Wilt); the fungus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense); and the current strain of fungus (Tropical race 4 or TR4). Key takeaways listed in the brochure include: there is currently no cure for TR4; TR4 can be transmitted through shoes, vehicles, farm tools and equipment, but also through drainage water, surface run-off water and floods; the most effective approach to combat TR4 is prevention of its spread into clean areas and immediate containment once it is detected; diversification of banana and plantain crops and agroecological practices that support sustainability are also key to help prevent TR4; and both international collaboration and local actions are essential to manage TR4 in affected countries.
Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
Preventing the spread and introduction of Banana Fusarium Tropical race 4 (TR4)
TR4 Global Network - An initiative of the World Banana Forum
2020

Also available in:

Chinese
French
Spanish

Preventing the spread and introduction of Banana Fusarium Tropical race 4 (TR4) disease is a summary of a more extensive guide for travellers, targeting occasional and regular travellers to or from banana and plantain production areas. The quick guide aims to raise awareness and provide direction on preventing the spread of the highly virulent pathogen known as Tropical Race 4 (TR4. The document opens with a brief historical background on the banana fusarium wilt disease that have affected banana and plantain plants over several decades. Today, TR4 threatens almost all banana and plantain producers, posing the greatest risks to countries producing Cavendish bananas in monoculture plantations in Asia, Australia, Africa, the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Once established in a banana or plantain plantation, the fungus can survive in the soil and in alternative host plants for decades. Finally, the quick guide offers recommendations: for regular and occasional travellers and local or international visitors; for farmers, professionals, technicians and employees visiting disease-free banana and plantain farms in areas where TR4 infestation has been recorded; and additional recommendations for visiting farms infested with TR4 for obligatory and work-related reasons.
Project
Building Regional Surveillance, Prevention and Management Capacities to Combat the Possible Spread of Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusariumoxysporumf.sp.cubense Tropical Race 4 Fungus (FOC TR4) - TCP/RLA/3724 2022

Also available in:

Spanish

Bananas are the world's fourth most important staple food and an important consumption and export item in RLC, a region that is home to six of the world's top ten exporters and three of the world's top producers Banana Fusarium Wilt, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f sp cubense Foc is one of the most destructive banana and plantain diseases worldwide and a serious threat to the RLC region Tropical Race 4 Foc TR 4 has caused severe losses in southeast Asian countries with serious repercussions for smallholders, workers and the banana value chain It is estimated that without consistent and coordinated action between and among countries, this pest could affect more than 1 6 million ha by 2040 The Foc TR 4 can be spread by infested plant materials, spores and soil particles attached to agricultural tools, shoes, vehicles and other means Irrigation and water drainage, particularly flooding, plays a critical role in its spread Controlling its spread requires the strengthening of country prevention and surveillance systems, but also a commitment to international coordination in order to develop and implement collective protection strategies There is therefore a need to i formulate a regional action plan for Foc TR 4 prevention, surveillance and eventual response ii) develop and adopt national action plans for Foc TR 4 response, surveillance and prevention and iii) build capacities to contribute to Foc TR 4 prevention, response and surveillance, as essential elements for ownership and sustainability of all these actions.

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