Context

India is the leading producer of banana in the world and the present cultivation is vulnerable to this fungal disease which dwells in soil as a saprophyte and shifts to the parasitic mode in presence of host roots. Scientists are trying to understand the disease paradigm for developing innovative management strategies.

In news

An improved understanding of Fusarium, a root pathogen infection in banana plant may soon help develop strategies to prevent the disease that causes wilting of the fruit crop that is grown in at least 5 major states of India.

The study

• According to the research work conducted by Dr.Ghag and his team, a molecular combat exists between the two partners at the site of infection where repertoire of virulent factors from Foc and defense molecules from banana are secreted.
• In the process of recognition of banana roots, Foc activates a series of virulence genes.
• All these virulence genes are under the control of a few master regulators which are up-regulated during colonization.
•  FocSge1 is one such master regulator that acts as a co-activator and triggers the expression of effector genes required for pathogenicity.

Facts about Banana fruit crop

• Banana is an important fruit crop of many tropical and subtropical regions of India.
• It is cultivated in India in an area of 830.5 thousand ha and total production is around 29,779.91 thousand tons.
• Main banana growing states are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
• India contributes 29.19% of the global production of banana.
• Besides India, other major banana producing countries are China, Philippines, Ecuador, Brazil and Indonesia.

Source: PIB