Banana wilt diseases: current status and future research strategies for their management

Banana wilt diseases are among the most important banana production constraints worldwide. The narrow genetic diversity of cultivated bananas, coupled with the high variability of pathogens, has led to decimation of susceptible cultivars. Strict quarantine measures to exclude pathogens from disease-free areas and the use of resistant cultivars in already affected areas are the most effective control practices. Significant research efforts have been directed towards breeding additional resistant hybrids. Current research strategies for management of banana wilts have explored use of conventional breeding, somaclonal variation and genetic engineering. This review describes the recent spread, economic losses, management strategies and future research directions of the major banana wilts.