Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne fungus responsible for devastating wilt diseases in a wide range of plants. The specific strain known as Tropical Race 4 (TR4), which currently poses a significant threat to global banana production, was first identified in Taiwan.
“TR4, the one that plagues us today, was first discovered in Taiwan. In 1967 in the Jiadong township of Pingtung County, Taiwan, banana farmers discovered a new race of FOC: TR4.”