Banana plantations may be starting to become the target of a deadly and highly destructive plant disease. A novel fungus strain by name Fusarium wilt TR4 is reported to have started attacking banana plantations in different parts of the world, including India.

"The strain, Tropical Race 4 (TR4), was first identified in Taiwan, and has jumped from Asia to the Middle East and Africa, reaching as far as Latin America," a report published by Hindustan Times says, adding that the disease has got "no effective remedy" as yet.

Described by some experts as the Covid-19 of the plant world, the plant disease is believed to be restricted to parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as of now. Authorities and agriculture scientists are taking steps to control its spread.

Biosecurity measures such as plant quarantine are the only solution, FAO once said.