Ecuadorian researchers have developed an in vitro gene-editing strategy aimed at weakening the fungus responsible for Fusarium wilt in bananas. The disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc), affects the plant's vascular system and is a long-standing challenge for banana-producing regions. Ecuador, as the world's largest banana exporter, faces ongoing production and trade risks linked to the spread of the pathogen.
The emergence of Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), which can persist in soil for decades, has made conventional control methods such as fungicides and quarantine measures less effective. In response, a research team applied CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the pathogen's DNA in vitro.
The work, published in Frontiers in Plant Science, targeted the SIX9 gene, part of the Secreted in Xylem (SIX) gene family. These genes are expressed during colonization and contribute to the fungus's virulence. By deactivating SIX9, the researchers reduced the aggressiveness of the fungus at the molecular level.
The approach differs from traditional crop-focused strategies by directly modifying the pathogen. According to the study, gene-edited strains could serve as tools for understanding disease behaviour or as potential bioagents to compete with more aggressive fungal variants. The protocol is described as rapid, replicable, and scalable for other research institutions.
The research underscores the ongoing need for new tools to manage Fusarium wilt in tropical production systems. The study, titled Optimization of a CRISPR-Cas9 in vitro protocol for targeting the SIX9 gene of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 1 associated with banana Fusarium wilt, outlines the methodology and results, highlighting how genetic editing may contribute to future disease-management strategies.
Source: PHYS.org
