SOURCES OF RESISTANCE TO Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.cubense IN BANANA GERMPLASM

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilt (syn= Panama disease), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC), is one of the most destructive diseases of banana, being genetic resistance the main management strategy for this disease. Since the pathogen is constantly evolving to supplant the genetic resistance, new sources of resistance must be investigated by genetic improvement programs aiming to developing new varieties. The objective of the present study was to identify sources of resistance from the different accessions maintained in the banana active germplasm bank (BAGB) at Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura. Forty-one BAGB accessions were evaluated, including 17 diploids, 21 triploids, and two tetraploids. The area under the disease progress curve, disease index, and incubation period were also evaluated. In relation to FOC resistance, there is genetic variability available among the BAGB accessions. The genotype M53 is notable for the complete resistance it expressed, and the accessions Birmanie, PA Songkla, Pirua, Imperial, Poyo, Ambei, Walebo, and Kongo FRF 1286 expressed quantitative resistance.