Marigot, Dominica – December 19, 2023
The Ministry of Agriculture in Dominica has received 1,200 TR4-resistant Tissue Culture plantlets,In a proactive measure against the threat of Tropical Race 4 (TR4). The initiative, part of the project “Support to Pest Exclusion in the Caribbean – Efforts to exclude TR4 in the Caribbean,” is funded by USDA/APHIS and IICA.
TR4 is a disease affecting bananas and plantains, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. To address this potential threat, the Plant Health Directors Forum and MUSA Technical Working Group met last year to strategize and ensure preparedness.
The received plantlets, known for their resistance to TR4, will undergo open field trials to assess their adaptation to Dominica’s agronomic practices and ecosystem. Currently undergoing hardening and weaning at the Portsmouth Agricultural Station, the plantlets will subsequently be distributed to commercial farmers and Agricultural Stations operated by the Division of Agriculture.
The Ministry of Agriculture aims to evaluate the performance of these resistant plantlets under local conditions, contributing to ongoing efforts to safeguard the banana industry in Dominica. This initiative aligns with broader regional strategies to combat the spread of TR4 and protect the Caribbean’s vital banana and plantain crops.
