Peru announced first suspicious case of Foc R4T

A suspicious case of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc R4T) was detected In Peru, in a 0.5 hectare field in Sullana (Piura). This situation imposed the prevention actions established in order to address this possible phytosanitary emergency.

The phytosanitary surveillance system of the National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) sent the field samples to the laboratory for the specified analyzes and tests, whose results will be ready in the coming days. 

Peru has 18.000 hectares of plantain and banana. According to the technical coordinator of the National Banana Board in Peru (JNB), Valentín Ruiz Delgado, the presence of the disease will put 18,000 hectares of fruit at risk (12,000 hectares of bananas and 6,000 hectares of bananas).

In Peru, there are 17.000 producers dedicated to these crops, located mainly in Piura, San Martín, Tumbes, Loreto and Huánuco.

It will be very difficult to avoid the spread of this disease since this fungus spreads easily with the wind, shoes and clothing. The fungus can remain in the soil for up to 30 years, affecting the roots of the Cavendish variety of banana and plantain, although it does not affect a person's health.

source: agraria.pe

photo: portalfruticola.com