ProMED
http://www.promedmail.org

Source: El Universo [in Spanish, machine trans., summ. Mod.DHA, edited]
https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/economia/moko-banano-bacteria-plaga-ecuador-fusarium-raza-4-agrocalidad-nota/

The bacteria _Ralstonia solanacearum_ race 2, better known as moko, already exists in Ecuador [see ProMED post 20141126.2990348] and in the past has been detected in several provinces and has been controlled. However, in recent weeks worrying outbreaks have been found in several areas of the province of Los Ríos.

Previously, it had been found to affect different types of Musaceae, such as plantain and different types of banana, in production sites and backyards. It has now been detected with a greater incidence in Los Ríos, with a total of ca. 2500 hectares being affected. It is being speculated that the floods of a severe winter season may have contributed to the outbreaks occurring.

Since 2016, the country has specific regulations for the management and control of _Ralstonia_ outbreaks, which include diagnostic methodology for the identification of the pest, isolating affected areas and elimination of hosts to reduce the inoculum in the soil.
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Communicated by:
ProMED

[Moko, as well as the other bacterial wilts of banana and plantain known as blood disease and bugtok, are caused by members of the _Ralstonia solanacearum_ (Rs) species complex (see link below). Within the complex, strains causing moko and bugtok are closely related causing similar symptoms (including wilting, fruit rot, blackening of suckers, bacterial ooze), while the blood disease bacterium is more distantly related with characteristic red internal discolouration ("blood") of fruits and pseudostems. Moko is one of the most serious banana diseases, with reported yield losses of over 70%, but all 3 diseases cause severe yield losses and eventually death of the plants.

The bacteria are spread by water, wind, infected plant material or soil, as well as mechanical means (including human and insect activities). Suckers for propagation pose a high risk of spreading the diseases. Ornamental and weed species may serve as pathogen reservoirs. Infection can occur via roots or flowers, depending on host cultivar and pathogen strain. The primary means of control is exclusion from areas that are disease-free and eradication of infected plants where the pathogens are present. Disease management may also include cultural, chemical (e.g., soil treatments) and biocontrol (antagonistic microorganisms) measures, or combinations of these. Certified clean planting material is essential. No resistant banana or plantain cultivars are known.

Moko is present in the region and seems to have been reported officially in Ecuador for the first time in 2014 on plantain (ProMED post 20141126.2990348). However, anecdotal reports of suspected moko symptoms have been made as early as the 1970s. Colombia, where the pathogen had been recognised since the 1960s, was considered a likely source for moko in Ecuador.

Members of the _R. solanacearum_ complex affect more than 200 plant species, including many important crops (e.g., causing brown rot of potato). The various races and biovars are active under different climatic conditions and in different hosts.
Pictures
Moko disease symptoms:
https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/php/management/bananapanama/images/ploetz13lg.jpg and
https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/php/management/bananapanama/images/ploetz12lg.jpg
Banana blood disease symptoms:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jsDi86zSP9Q/RzKdtPXvVCI/AAAAAAAAAK0/1JFTrInQG24/s320/Blood+disease+banana+cut+open+poss.jpg (pseudostem)
Links
Information on moko disease:
https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.44999,
https://plantix.net/en/library/plant-diseases/300016/moko-disease and
https://doi.org/10.1079/pwkb.20137804483
Information on _R. solanacearum_:
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1364-3703.2002.00102.x and
https://iant.toulouse.inra.fr//bacteria/annotation/cgi/ralso.cgi
_R. solanacearum_ taxonomy and description:
https://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/305
- Mod.DHA