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
- 24 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Pest Management Science
- Vol. 77 (6), 3002-3012
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6339
Abstract
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.Keywords
This publication has 43 references indexed in Scilit:
- Viability of Oomycete Propagules Following Ingestion and Excretion by Fungus Gnats, Shore Flies, and SnailsPlant Disease, 2009
- Development of a molecular marker for specific detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2008
- Heteroptera as vectors of plant pathogensNeotropical Entomology, 2004
- Aerial Transmission of Thielaviopsis basicola, a Pathogen of Corn-Salad, by Adult Shore FliesPhytopathology®, 1999
- Prevalence, Severity, and Association of Fungal Crown and Root Rots with Injury by the Clover Root Curculio in New York AlfalfaPlant Disease, 1994
- Interaction ofFusarium oxysporumf. sp.medicaginiswith Feeding Activity of Clover Root Curculio Larvae in AlfalfaPlant Disease, 1993
- Ingestion of Pythium spp. by larvae of the fungus gnat Bradysia impatiens (Diptera:Sciaridae)Annals of Applied Biology, 1990
- Ingestion-Egestion and Aerial Transmission ofPythium aphanidermatumby Shore Flies (Ephydrinae:Scatella stagnalis)Phytopathology®, 1990
- Disease Management Strategies and the Survival of the Banana IndustryAnnual Review of Phytopathology, 1986
- Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 4 from Soil or Host Tissue by Cultural CharactersPhytopathology®, 1978