Dr. National Chiayi University Chiayi City, Chiayi, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Abstract Text: Banana (Musa spp.) is the world’s most traded fruit and a key tropical crop in Taiwan, with cultivation values of ~15,000 ha/~35,000 t in 2024. This study examines banana crown rot (BCR) in Taiwan, focusing on fungal diversity and field conditions to determine its etiology and management. A total of 532 BCR associated fungal isolates collected across the Central Mountainous, Chianan, Northern Pingtung, and Southern Pingtung during 2022–23. ITS sequencing and morphology identified Penicillium (17.67%), Colletotrichum (15.98%), and Fusarium (26.69%) as dominant genera. Despite no significant regional differences in fungal richness indicated by Chao 1/Shannon indices, Bray-Curtis analysis showed geographic variation in fungal composition. Selected isolates were tested for pathogenicity on green bananas (4 conditions: room temperature/13°C, with/without wounds). Lesion diameters were measured at 14 days, and pathogens confirmed by re-isolation. Principal component analysis classified isolates into five virulence groups. C. musae, being highly virulent and frequently isolated, was confirmed as a primary pathogen in Taiwan. Field surveys in summer (July 2023) and winter (January 2024) examined correlations between BCR severity (AUDPC) and field conditions (weed-covered areas (WCA), debris-covered areas (DCA), removal of old leaves (RL), and the index of leaf lesion area (INLL)). Results showed that DCA/RL significantly correlated with higher AUDPC in summer, and WCA/INLL were significant in winter (p ≤ 0.05), emphasizing the role of field management in reducing BCR severity.
