Abstract
Radopholus similis (Cobb) Thorne lesions from rhizomes and roots of Musa AAA subgroup Cavendish were sampled for pathogenic fungi. Lesions from Central and South America Martinique, Guadeloupe, Somalia, and the Philippines yielded most commonly Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., F. moniliforme Sheld., Cylindrocarpon musae Booth & Stover and Acremonium stromaticum W. Gams. When inserted into rhizome wounds or placed in contact with aseptic banana roots C. musae caused the most extensive necrosis, followed by the Fusarium spp. Acremonium caused little damage by itself but was destructive to roots in the presence of Radopholus similis. These wide spread inhabitants of lesions caused by burrowing nematodes are important in the pathology of root and rhizome rot. A specificity between some nematode pathogen and associated fungi is indicated.
