Pryde Henry Teves, the governor of Negros Oriental, has ordered a temporary suspension on the gathering and transport of garden soil and plants from two wards in Valencia town following the discovery of Fusarium wilt. Teves issued Executive Order No. 28. on Wednesday.
Fusarium wilt is a disease caused by a soil-borne fungus that infects the root system of the plants and crops. Teves noted that the fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, can be transmitted unnoticed from the host through infected seedlings, soil, and garden equipment.
The Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA)-Negros Oriental has observed that banana and plant production in the wards was affected by the disease. To prevent the potential spread of the disease to nearby towns, affecting banana and abaca productions such as in Sta. Catalina, Siaton, and Pamplona, the governor ordered the strict prohibition of gathering and/or usage of soil from said villages.
Source: pna.gov.ph