Biocontrol of Fusarium wilt of banana: Key influence factors and strategies

Fusarium wilt of banana, caused by Fusarium oxyspoum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is one of the most important and destructive diseases of banana, and is known to be a major biotic limiting factor for the development of the present banana industry. Biocontrol on the destructive disease, the use of antagonist as biocontrol agents (BCAs) against Foc, constitutes an effective option for the management of the disease. The effectiveness of biocontrol agents depends on a range of biological and physico-chemical factors, including the type and properties of the biocontrol agents, the obstacles to the initial colonization of antagonists, as well as the variation factors after initial colonization. Various strategies can be implemented to optimize the biocontrol efficacy, such as the use of endophytes from banana plants as BCAs (favorably Bacillus spp.), the development of water and nutrition retaining agent, the application of proper carrier for BCAs, the restoration of soil biodiversity, and combined management of nematodes disease and Fusarium wilt. In this review, elements affecting the biocontrol efficacy of Fusarium wilt are analyzed in detail, and strategies to promote the biocontrol effects are proposed. Besides, the concept of “post-indigenousness” and “post-indigenous microbes” were firstly suggested.   Key words: Fusarium wilt of banana, biocontrol, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (E.F. Smith) Snyder & Hansen, Bacillus sp., endophtic bacteria.