Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense the Fusarium Wilt Pathogen of Banana in Ecuador (2022)

The results of a population biology study are presented, including phylogenetics, mating type, vegetative compatibility group (VCG) and pathogenicity tests on isolates affecting local banana trees, presumably associated with Tropical race 4, and at what point it splits in the phylogenetic lineage. Overall, this study shows how Foc can easily spread to other areas if the restriction of contaminated materials is not well enforced, and highlights the need for greater efforts in awareness campaigns and monitoring to test for suspected cases and contain potential first introduction events of FocTR4 in Ecuador.