First report of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4 in Bangladesh
Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4 (EPPO A2 list) is reported for the first time from Bangladesh. Between January and February 2025, typical Fusarium symptoms were observed on Cavendish and local banana (Musa sp.) cultivars in Tangail, Rangpur, Bogura, Narsingdi and Jamalpur districts (central and northern parts of the country). The pathogen was identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4 by molecular testing.
Local authorities have begun the destruction of infected plants in the affected areas and initiated a delimiting survey in other banana-producing regions to determine the distribution of the pest in the country. Up until this finding, only Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 was known to occur in Bangladesh.
Sources
Islam MR, Mohlabe KM, Sarly SP, Biswas K, Khan F, Tarafder T, Rahman M, Muqit A, Rahman MH, Yubak GC, Elkahky M (2026) First report of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4 (VCG 01213/16) causing Fusarium wilt on banana in Bangladesh. Plant Disease (early view). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-25-2164-PDN