Influence of the Number of Pathogen Causing Banana Fusarium Wilt and Soil Factors on the Infection Degree of Banana Plants

Abstract

Banana fusarium wilt is one of the soil-borne diseases of seriously threat to banana production in the world. However, there is no effective method for prevention. The objective was providing theoretical basis for field diagnosis of banana fusarium wilt. Thirty rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil samples were collected from three typical banana plots (Jianfeng, Shiyuetian, Chongpo) infected by banana fusarium wilt. Applying dilution plate method to estimate the pathogenic number, fourteen soil physicochemical properties and nutrient concentrations were chemically determined. Results showed that pathogenic number and nutrient concentrations in rhizosphere soil were higher than non-rhizosphere soil, the pathogenic number and pH in rhizosphere soils significantly increased with increasing of plant infection grades, while the concentrations of available P and B decreased with increasing of plant infection grades. It was concluded that infection degree of banana plants was mainly determined by pathogenic number, pH and the concentrations of available P and B.