RESUMO
Fusarium wilt of banana (Musa spp.), caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is a major constraint to banana production worldwide (Dita et al., 2018). A strain of Foc that affects Cavendish (AAA) bananas in the tropics, called Foc tropical race 4 (TR4; VCG 01213), is of particular concern. Foc TR4 was first detected in Malaysia and Indonesia around 1990 but was restricted to Southeast Asia and northern Australia until 2012. The fungus has since been reported from Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Middle East (Viljoen et al., 2020). Foc TR4 was detected in Colombia in 2019 and in Perú in 2021 (Reyes-Herrera et al., 2020). The incursions into Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) triggered global concerns, as 75% of international export bananas are produced in the region. Banana production in Venezuela, however, is primarily intended for domestic consumption (Aular and Casares, 2011). In 2021 the country produced 533,190 metric tons of banana on an area of 35,896 ha, with an approximate yield of 14,853 kg/ha (FAOSTAT, 2023). In July 2022, severe leaf-yellowing, and wilting, along with internal vascular discoloration of the pseudostem, were noted in Cavendish banana plants cultivar 'Valery' in the states of Aragua (10°11'8â³N; 67°34'51â³W), Carabobo (10º14'24â³N; 67º48'51â³W), and Cojedes (9°37'44â³N; 68°55'4â³W). Necrotic strands from the pseudostems of diseased plants were collected for identification of the causal agent using DNA-based techniques, vegetative compatibility group (VCG) analysis and pathogenicity testing. The samples were first surface disinfected and plated onto potato dextrose agar medium. Single-spored isolates were identified as F. oxysporum based on cultural and morphological characteristics, including white colonies with purple centres, infrequent macroconidia, abundant microconidia on short monophialides, and terminal or intercalary chlamydospores (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). Foc TR4 was identified from five isolates by endpoint and quantitative-PCR using four different primer sets (Li et al. 2013; Dita et al. 2010; Aguayo et al. 2017; Matthews et al. 2020). The same isolates were identified as VCG 01213 by successfully pairing nitrate non-utilizing (nit-1) mutants of the unknown strains with Nit-M testers of Foc TR4 available at Stellenbosch University (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). For pathogenicity testing, 3-month-old Cavendish banana plants cultivar 'Williams' were inoculated with isolates from Venezuela grown on sterile millet seed (Viljoen et al., 2017). Plants developed typical Fusarium wilt symptoms 60 days after inoculation, including yellowing of leaves that progressed from the older to the younger leaves, wilting, and internal discoloration of the pseudostem. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolating and identifying Foc TR4 from the plants by qPCR (Matthews et al., 2020). These results provide scientific proof of the presence of Foc TR4 in Venezuela. The Venezuelan Plant Protection Organization (INSAI) has declared Foc TR4 as a newly introduced pest (January 19, 2023), and infested banana fields were placed under quarantine. Comprehensive surveys are now conducted in all production areas in Venezuela to assess the presence and impact of Foc TR4, and information campaigns were started to make farmers aware of biosecurity protocols. Collaborative initiatives and coordinated actions among all stakeholders are needed to prevent the spread of Foc TR4 to other countries in Latin America, and to develop Foc TR4-resistant bananas (Figueiredo et al. 2023).
RESUMO
Resumen El artículo analiza, prácticas de inclusión socio comunitaria, de agrupaciones de personas con discapacidad psicosocial, generadas en el hacer y sentir en sus ocupaciones colectivas, a partir de los diálogos que se producen con las instituciones sociales. Se empleó una metodología cualitativa, con enfoque crítico. La información fue recolectada mediante grupos de discusión, lo que permitió recoger discursos de los participantes de dos agrupaciones de personas con discapacidad psicosocial, correspondientes a las comunas de Penco y Concepción, de la Región del Biobío (Chile); discursos que fueron codificados, analizados, categorizados e interpretados. Entre los resultados más relevantes obtenidos, se evidencian diferencias y tensiones en las formas de comprender y proceder hacia la inclusión, pues las instituciones tienden a mantener relaciones jerárquicas, mientras que las agrupaciones propenden a prácticas más democráticas y participativas. Con respecto a las conclusiones, es posible visualizar que los derechos humanos de las personas con discapacidad psicosocial se materializan en un campo de ocupaciones colectivas, de acciones diarias en contextos cotidianos y de conflicto social.
Abstract The article analyzes socio-community inclusion practices of groups of people with psychosocial disabilities, generated in doing and feeling in their collective occupations, from the dialogues that take place with social institutions. A qualitative methodology was used, with a critical approach. The information was collected through discussion groups, which made it possible to collect speeches from the participants of two groups of people with mental disabilities, corresponding to the communes of Penco and Concepción, in the Biobío Region (Chile); discourses that were coded, analyzed, categorized and interpreted. Among the most relevant results obtained, differences and tensions are evident in the ways of understanding and proceeding towards inclusion, since institutions tend to maintain hierarchical relationships, while groups tend to have more democratic and participatory practices. Regarding the conclusions, it is possible to visualize that the human rights of people with mental disabilities are materialized in a field of collective occupations, daily actions in everyday contexts, and social conflict.