The Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region (DA-Davao) is in the process of setting up a laboratory dedicated to the cultivation of Trichoderma fungi, aiming to tackle the challenge posed by Fusarium wilt, also known as Panama disease, which has been affecting a considerable number of banana plants. By employing Trichoderma alongside other biocontrol agents (BCAs), the initiative seeks to offer an effective solution for managing banana Fusarium wilt while also fostering plant growth.
In a recent development shared during the AgriBiz media forum, Arlene Tiwan, the regional focal person for fruits at DA-Davao, elaborated on how the Regional Crops Protection Center (RCBC) is set to bolster the expertise of its technical staff in producing Trichoderma fungi for disease management purposes. "Our collaboration with RCBC is ongoing, we also support funds for them to produce these Trichoderma paths, wherein the fungus will fight against the fusarium wilt and will be given to farmers affected by the disease," Tiwan remarked.
The establishment of this laboratory is a strategic move to streamline the production of Trichoderma and other biocontrol products that are resistant to Fusarium wilt. This soil-borne fungal disease poses a significant threat to various plants, including bananas. In 2022, DA-Davao inaugurated three Trichoderma Village-Level Biological Control (BioCon) Laboratories in the municipalities of Maragusan, Mabini, and Laak within Davao de Oro, allocating a budget of P2.9 million to combat Fusarium wilt.
Furthermore, Tiwan underscored the department's willingness to engage with the commercial sector, aiming to enhance the production quality of the Cavendish banana variety, which ranks as the most produced banana type. "DA is always open for collaboration among the private sectors and stakeholders, as long as the proposed interventions are properly documented to further minimize the control of fusarium disease, they are always welcome in our office," she concluded.
Source: SunStar