Assessing banana stalk susceptibility to pathogens and their virulence

The purpose of this protocol is to assess (a) the virulence of fungi on banana stalks and (b) the susceptibility of a banana stalk cutting modality/cultivar to a pathogen. The principle, plant material used, duration and expected results are presented. The materials and the five procedural steps-stalk sampling, inoculum and plant material preparation, pathogen inoculation, incubation, and evaluation of stalk necrosis-are detailed. Inoculum virulence and banana stalk susceptibility to pathogenic fungi are determined by measuring the proportion of necrosis.