POTENTIAL OF 1,8-CINEOLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUSARIUM WILT OF CAVENDISH BANANA CAUSED BY Fusarium odoratissimum TROPICAL RACE 4

Damage of Fusarium Wilt to banana plantations has been a serious threat to banana growers worldwide since the wipeout of Gros Michel in Panama in 1950s. Over the years, strict and cautious implementation of biosecurity protocols contributed in preventing the entry of Fusarium odoratissimum Tropical Race 4 (FoTR4) while total eradication of an infected plant has restricted the spread within an area. Although these procedures have significant effect towards managing disease incidence, raw materials and labor costs are very high and productivity is also reduced. With this, search of products that provide effective control of the disease without harming the plant is continuously done. 1,8-cineole is a secondary metabolite that is known to have anti-inhibitory effect to microorganisms. With this, potential of 1,8-Cineole against the pathogen was explored in vitro and at screenhouse set-up.