RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM RACE 2, BACTERIUM CAUSING MOKO DISEASE OF BANANAS AND PLANTAINS

Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the main phytosanitary problems in tropical countries in the world due to its wide host range. R. solanacearum causes Moko disease in bananas. In Ecuador, the first banana exporter and the fifth plantain exporter in the world, this bacterium has generated great losses due to its high resistance and its quarantine status. There are several visible symptoms in banana plants, such as yellowing of the leaves and rotting of the fruit, among others. There are several ways to avoid infection, among the first ones we have the cleaning of tools and quarantine.