Case Study: Fulvic Gold Protects Banana Crops from TR1 Disease
📍 Location: Thong Mang Village, Xaythany District, Lao PDR
🌿 Crop: Sugar Banana (Pak Song 50)
🧪 Focus: Fusarium Wilt (Tropical Race 1 – TR1) Control
🗓 Trial Duration: June 2019 – March 2020
👨🔬 Conducted By: Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (Laos) and Soils North Pty Ltd (Australia)
Background
Fusarium Wilt (Tropical Race 1), known locally as "banana yellow disease," is a devastating soil-borne pathogen threatening global banana production. In collaboration with Laos’ Department of Agriculture, a controlled field trial was conducted to test the efficacy of Fulvic Gold (formerly NSA Soil Conditioner) in suppressing TR1 and enhancing plant health.
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 study was structured with four treatment groups and three replicates per group, using the popular sugar banana cultivar Pak Song 50:
- T1: 3 tonnes/ha of Fulvic Gold
- T2: 2 tonnes/ha
- T3: 1 tonne/ha
- T4: Control (no Fulvic Gold)
Measurements included:
- Visual disease symptoms (0–4 rating scale)
- Plant height and stem circumference (monthly for 9 months)
- Molecular and microbial testing for TR1 presence
Key Findings
✅ Disease Suppression
-
T1, T2, T3 (all treated with Fulvic Gold):
0% infection from TR1 after 9 months. Plants remained strong, green, and symptom-free. -
T4 (control):
100% failure rate. Seedlings did not survive past early growth stages.
📈 Growth Performance
- T1 consistently produced taller plants and thicker stems than T2 and T3.
- By month 9:
- T1 plants averaged 187 cm in height and 50 cm in circumference
- T4 plants had died due to disease pressure and poor root development
🔬 Laboratory Results
- Molecular testing (PCR) of field samples confirmed no presence of TR1 in Fulvic Gold-treated plots.
Conclusion
This 9-month field trial provides strong evidence that Fulvic Gold offers effective protection against Fusarium Wilt TR1, while significantly enhancing plant vigor.
- Zero disease incidence in treated plots
- Enhanced growth and early establishment
- Sustained plant health even under tropical field conditions
This positions Fulvic Gold as a powerful, non-chemical tool for disease management and productivity improvement in banana cultivation—particularly where TR1 is a known risk.
🌟 Want TR1 Protection Without Chemicals?
Fulvic Gold delivers long-lasting protection and growth benefits in bananas and other vulnerable crops.