Abstract

Rosmalawati, S., Teraoka, T. and Arie, T: Plant Activators Control Fusarium Wilt Disease on Banana 丂Fusarium wilt (Panama disease), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC) is one of the most widespread and destructive diseases of banana. As a new potential concept for chemical mediated disease control of the disease, we are focusing on plant activators which induces plant resistance against pathogens. To establish the screening method for evaluation of the disease reduction by chemicals, we propagated banana (Musa acuminata cv. cavendish) by tissue culture technique and monitored the infection of FOC. We found that foliar spray of ASM (acibenzolar- S-methyl), PBZ (probenazole), or VMA (Validamycin A) could decrease the level of disease severity. Foliar spray of VMA was more effective than those of PBZ and ASM.