Monthly Archives: April 2019

Throughout history, few plant disease epidemics have devastated production of an agricultural commodity as severely as Panama disease, i.e. Fusarium wilt, of banana. The disease is caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC). In contrast to black Sigatoka, the other fungal threat of banana, FOC cannot be controlled with fungicides and produces infectious spores that survive in soil for decades. Currently there is a new outbreak of Panama disease that is caused by the so-called Tropical Race 4 (FOC TR4). This new vicious race of Panama disease is extremely virulent, widely infecting banana germplasm destined for domestic and international markets, including Cavendish, and spreads rapidly in South East Asia. Therefore, the international research and policymaking community on bananas has been alarmed and is calling for concerted action to control this disease. In this INREF consortium research institutes, representatives of different types of growers and international policy-related banana networks work together, convinced that control of Panama disease requires concerted action.

INREF is the development oriented Interdisciplinary Research & Education Fund of Wageningen University (The Netherlands). The project ‘Panama Disease in Banana: Multi level solutions for a global Problem’ was granted research funding in 2012. ClearDetections is involved as INREF partner and has co-developed a molecular detection test (Real-time PCR) for the detection of FOC TR4 in plant material and identification of fungal cultures. More information about FOC TR4 and the project on the Panama Disease specific website.

PromoBanana is a FDOV funded project and aims to protect, modernize and involve the Philippine banana sector and develop the agro-laboratory capacity for the benefit of every producer. The purpose of this project, based on a business case, is to build upon a local laboratory service capacity. This service will provide banana farmers with more efficient and precise tools for detecting and containing fast spreading diseases and optimise their application of fertilizers and other agronomic aspects. The project aims to close the traditional gap between smallholders, medium sized farmers and large exporting plantations in order to ensure food security, improved resource use and build up resilience in an otherwise volatile sector. Currently, the livelihood of millions of people are at stake by the re-emergence of the devastating Panama disease. It cannot be controlled, cured, wipes out banana plantations and contaminates soils for decades. It threatens banana production throughout the world and on any plantation, regardless of the plantation size. This is on top of other diseases and pests, like the ‘Black Sigatoka’ disease and nematodes. By bringing the latest and robust technology for modern disease management, soil analysis and crop monitoring along with capacity building (based on some simple measures) and technology adoption programmes, PromoBanana may rationalise and improve crop production. This may increase incomes of farmers and generates new and more jobs. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is formal partner in this project. Please follow this link for more information (in Dutch).

In 2016 we improved our Real-Time PCR diagnostic kits by switching from a wet to a dry PCR mix, without compromising quality or performance. Up until now, our kits had to be shipped in dry ice. Not anymore! What is in it for you?

• Shipping costs & CO2 footprint are lowered


• Storage is easier & shelf-life is extended


• Components reconstitution in one step by adding the supplied buffer