Strategies to contain the expansion of Fusarium R4T in the Colombian Caribbean do not stop

Fusarium wilt of musaceae is a disease that dates back to the 20th century. Today we have Fusarium R4T, which is the most aggressive and affects both banana and plantain varieties. This pathogen was first reported in the American continent in 2019, particularly in Colombia, later appearing in Peru in 2021 and recently in Venezuela in 2023. Colombia so far has this disease present only in bananas and is under quarantine restrictions in La Guajira and Magdalena, ASBAMA detailed in a press release. In the first department, it indicated, the outbreaks are recorded in Dibulla and Riohacha, while in the second, in the Banana Zone and Santa Marta. Currently, about 99% of Colombia's banana and plantain production is free of the disease. Which highlights that only 1% of the country is affected. Catalina Quintero is an agricultural engineer and plant pathologist linked to the Technical Directorate of Epidemiology and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Colombian Agricultural Institute, ICA, ...