Histopathology of Banana Infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (EF Sm.) Synd. & Hans.

Fusarium wilt is a severe disease of banana plants caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense . The objective of this study was to trace the pathway and colonization in roots and rhizome of the highly susceptible banana cultivar, ‘Nanjangud Rasabale’. We observed that the entry of the fungus into the roots is primarily through the rootlet, progressing upwards to the rhizome and p seudostem. External symptoms of characteristic yellowing of the lower leaf sheath were observed only after 90 days after inoculation though internally the colonization of the fungus had occurred as early as 45 days after inoculation. ongitudinal splitting of the out er leaf bases just above soil level was seen only after 150 days after inoculation. Formation of chlamydospores, microconidia were observed in root and rhizome sections. Macroconidial formation was observed in only preserved root and rhizome samples