S TATUS OF B ANANA D ISEASES R ESEARCH IN MALAYSIA

1. STATUS OF BANANADISEASES RESEARCH IN MALAYSIA Tengku Ab. Malik T.M., Rozeita,L. ,Maimun,T., and Umikalsum, M.B. Horticulture Research Centre, MARDI, Malaysia

2. INTRODUCTION • Banana is the 2nd most important commercial fruit crop in Malaysia • Pisang Berangan and Cavendish are the most popular varieties • Other local varieties, including P. Mas, P. Rastali, P. Nangka, P. Raja, P. Tanduk, P. Abu, P. Awak- for domestic market

3. Cultivated as a backyard farm, small, medium and large for both domestic and export consumptions • Exported to Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong and Middle East • Johor, Sabah and Sarawak served as major states in Malaysia producing banana-27,543 hectares (2009) • The area is expected to expand in future due to increasing local and foreign demand and newly implemented ETP by the government

4. Disease is one of the most important factors that can significantly limit the production of banana in Malaysia • Fusarium wilt is the single most devastating disease contributing to low production and economic loss • The emerging of new bacterial disease, Moko has further dampened the banana industry

5. A concerted effort by the Malaysian research institutes, universities and private agencies is very necessary by pooling their expertise and resources to find immediately solutions • This paper highlight the past and current research and discuss the strategies to be taken in managing these diseases in Malaysia

6. STATUS OF FUSARIUM WILT DISEASE RESEARCH IN MALAYSIA • Fusarium wilt disease of banana is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cubense (FOC) • FOC has been identified, based on race 1, 2, 3 and 4 • In Malaysia FOC has been identified as tropical race 4 (FOCTR4)

7. Cavendish, P. Berangan and P. Rastali are the most susceptible cultivars • Almost all the domestic and commercial cultivars are now infected to varying degrees of FOC • Epidermic of the disease can be due to mono-cultivar cultivation, poor field and crop management

8. Studies on the use of chemical basamit fumigation, formalin and magnesium limestone were not effective to control FOC • However, other management practices such as organic cultivation, crop rotation can offer solution to control FOC Cultural Management

9. Screening For Resistance Banana hybrids and somaclones’ performance and reaction to FOC • 23 varieties were evaluated • Cv Rose, P. JariBuaya and Calcutta 4 were resistant with no economic value but can be sources of resistance • Hybrid FHIA-18, FHIA-21 and FHIA-25 were tolerant but not well accepted by consumers • Gross Michel, Cavendish (cv William), P. BeranganIntan and P. Mas were susceptible

10. IMTP-3 Project Table 1. Percentage of plants with Fusarium wilt symptoms (external and internal) for 23 varieties over 13 month-period Evaluate yield, quality, Foc resistance

11. Cont. Table 1 Table 1. Percentage of plants with Fusarium wilt symptoms (external and internal) for 23 varieties over 13 month-period

12. Cavendish cv william cv Rose P. Jari Buaya FHIA-25

13. Selection of improved P. Raja • 144 accessions were collected • 15 accessions were short listed and evaluated for agronomic performances, reaction to FOC • 51B showed tolerant to FOC , early fruiting (235 days) with high bunch weight (23.4 kg)

14. Agronomic characters of 15 selected Pisang Raja accessions • Reaction to Fusarium wilt: • Good: Survive for 3 harvests • Moderate: Survive for 2 harvests • Poor: Survive for 1 harvest

15. Development of micosatellite marker for resistant to FOCTR4 • Polymorphic microsatellite marker has been developed to determine resistance and susceptible individual • This marker will facilitate fast and early screening of FOCTR4 compared to conventional technique

16. Microsatellite polymorphism in commercial banana cultivars, amplified by the primer set MYS 14. Lane 13 refer to 100bp marker . Lane 1-12 refer to the commercial cultivars. Band only showed on susceptible individual which have been tested earlier using double tray system at nursery stage. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

17. STATUS OF MOKO DISEASE RESEARCH IN MALAYSIA • The disease was first detected in Malaysia in 2007 • Not much research has been carried out to address the problem due to low crop priority in 9th Malaysian Plan • Mokois another serious disease of banana in the world which can contribute to yield loss

18. Yield loss can be up to 100% • This bacterial wilt is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum race 2 • The symptom of Moko is easily distinguished from FOC • In Moko disease fruits were infected causing brown discoloration which does not appear in FOC

19. Transmitted by insect thus enable the disease to spread rapidly • P. Nipah known to be tolerant to FOCTR4 is observed to be susceptible to Moko • Currently, screening on the existing banana cultivars to Moko disease is not yet carried out

20. The disease is slowly spreading from Southern to Northern states of Peninsular thus warranting R&D on the disease • MARDI has initiated R&D on epidemiology and biological control agents to control the disease

21. FUTURE R&D • Develop resistant varieties to FOCTR4 through in vitro mutagenesis and somaclonal variation, utilisation of microsatellite marker for rapid screening • Epidemiological study on Moko disease • Screen available banana varieties to Moko disease and develop molecular marker for resistance • Isolation of biological control agents from banana crop growing environment to control FOCTR4 and Moko disease • Organic cultivation and crop rotation to prevent incident of the diseases

22. Based on varietal screening, the sources of resistance to FOCTR4 have been identified • These sources of resistance can be exploited by breeders to develop resistant variety • The molecular marker developed will facilitate fast and early screening compared to conventional technique CONCLUSION

23. R&D on Moko disease need to be intensified. This will include epidemiological study, source of resistance, marker development, biological control and cultural management • Sharing information and experiences on related issues and problems from local and foreign experts will expedite solution for disease control which can save the banana industry CONCLUSION (Cont..)