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Can the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus be a vector of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 1? Unravelling the internal and external acquisition of effective inoculum
Author(s) -
Guillen Sánchez César,
Tixier Philippe,
Tapia Fernández Ana,
Conejo Barboza Ana Maria,
Sandoval Fernández Jorge A,
de Lapeyre de Bellaire Luc
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6339
Subject(s) - biology , weevil , fusarium oxysporum , fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense , musaceae , host (biology) , pest analysis , biological pest control , botany , horticulture , fusarium , fusarium wilt , ecology
BACKGROUND With the undergoing world outbreak of Fusarium wilt of bananas, it is essential to unravel all the possible process of dissemination of this disease. The host‐pest interactions of the banana weevil with banana plants make this insect an important potential vector. This study, carried out in controlled conditions, explores the interaction between the banana weevil and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 1 (Foc), with a focus on the external and internal transport of viable fungal propagules. RESULTS Viable inoculum of Foc was detected very rapidly on external teguments and in the digestive tract of the insect, i.e. at the lowest time studied of 5 min after contact with infected pseudostems. Maximal inoculum acquisition occurred after 1 h contact with an inoculum source. External inoculum was higher than the inoculum present in the digestive tract, but external and internal inoculum had the same dynamics. After a contact of an infected source, external and internal inoculum decreased exponentially within 50 h, but weevils remained infested for a long time, as long as 2 or 3 days that would be enough for inoculum dispersal. Viable inoculum was also detected in feces. Foc strains isolated were pathogenic when inoculated to banana plants of the Gros Michel variety but did not provoke any symptom on Cavendish banana plants. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that the infective structures of Foc remain externally viable in the digestive system and the excreta of the banana weevil. Such excreta are capable of making healthy banana plants of the Gros Michel variety. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.