Case Study: Fulvic Gold Boosts TR4 Resistance in Cavendish Bananas
📍 Location: Vang Vieng, Lao PDR
🍌 Crop: Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata)
🦠 Pathogen: Fusarium Wilt – Tropical Race 4 (TR4)
🧪 Trial Period: June 2019 – March 2020
Conducted by: Department of Agriculture, Laos
Background
Tropical Race 4 (TR4) of Fusarium oxysporum is one of the most devastating banana diseases globally, particularly affecting Cavendish plantations. Once present in the soil, it can remain viable for decades, with no known chemical cure. This trial, led by the Lao Department of Agriculture, aimed to test whether Fulvic Gold could build plant resilience and reduce TR4 incidence.
PLEASE NOTE: The results presented in this case study were based on trials using a solid-form humate. Fulvic Gold is a liquid formulation derived from the same humate source, optimized to deliver high concentrations of bio-available fulvic acids for efficient uptake and ease of use. While formulation differs, the underlying active compounds and source material remain the same.
Trial Design
The experiment was conducted on a former commercial banana farm where TR4 infection had been confirmed. The site was cleared, fenced, and replanted with disease-free tissue culture Cavendish bananas.
🧪 Four treatment groups:
- T1A: 3 tonnes/ha Fulvic Gold + 400g NPK per plant
- T1B: 3 tonnes/ha Fulvic Gold + 400g Fulvic Gold per plant
- T1C: 3 tonnes/ha Fulvic Gold + 200g NPK + 200g Fulvic Gold per plant
- T4 (Control): No Fulvic Gold
All plots followed standard commercial growing practices. NPK (15:15:15) was applied monthly at 150g/plant. TR4 symptoms, growth, pests, and disease incidence were recorded by local agronomists.
Key Results
🌿 Survival and TR4 Incidence
- T4 (control): All plants died or were dying, fully affected by TR4
- T1A: ~30% of plants showed TR4 symptoms (yellowing, trunk rot)
- T1B: Some yellowing leaves observed
- T1C: Fewest visible symptoms, healthiest plants, and fruiting successfully
🍌 Plant Health
Lot T1C showed the best plant health profile, with good leaf formation, minimal disease signs, and strong early fruit set as of January 2020 (see image, page 2).
Conclusions
Fulvic Gold significantly increased plant resilience to TR4 across all treated plots, even under confirmed pathogen presence. The healthiest plants with the lowest symptom expression were those treated with a balanced blend of Fulvic Gold and NPK.
Key findings:
- Fulvic Gold improves resistance to TR4 when applied at 3 tonnes/ha
- Best results came from combining Fulvic Gold and NPK
- No Fulvic Gold = 100% plant mortality
✅ 4-Point Strategy for TR4 Management
- Enforce quarantine and containment protocols
- Apply Fulvic Gold to enhance plant immunity and soil microbiology
- Use TR4-tolerant cultivars where possible
- Establish inter-row companion planting to support soil health and biodiversity
🌟 Grow Stronger. Defend Smarter.
Fulvic Gold offers banana growers a natural, powerful tool to manage TR4 risk, reduce plant losses, and boost yields.