Technical notes. A disease in Williams Hybrid bananas produced by Fusarium sp.

Abstract

In August 1050, there appeared in a banana plantation in the Beenleigh district three Williams Hybrid plants showing symptoms similar to those produced by Panama disease in susceptible varieties. As the Williams Hybrid is a sport from the Cavendish, a variety immune to Panama disease, this occurrence was a matter of some interest. In a pathogenicity test this species proved capable of attacking both the Williams Hybrid and Lady Finger varieties. Affected plants became stunted and exhibited the vascular discolouration seen in the field condition. The Cavendish variety was not affected.