From Roots to Wilt: Evolution and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense

Fusarium wilt of banana (also known as Panama disease), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is considered one of the most damaging plant diseases in agricultural history. Foc race 1 (R1) decimated the Gros Michel-based banana trade, and now Foc tropical race 4 (TR4) threatens global production of its replacement, the Cavendish banana. Since 2013, Foc TR4 has been spreading rapidly from Southeast Asia to the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. In this talk, I highlight the evolutionary history of Foc behind its spread and the virulence mechanisms driving the resurgence of the Fusarium wilt epidemic on Cavendish bananas. All Cavendish banana-infecting Foc race 4 strains share an evolutionary origin distinct from that of R1 strains. For the first time, I demonstrated that the virulence of Foc TR4 is mediated by mitochondrion-localized nitric oxide and accessory genes.  

Lugar: Auditorio Ildiko Bartnicki

Fecha: 22-05-2026

Hora: 01:00 pm