Intercropping and rotating banana (Musa spp.) with Chinese chive (Allium 
tuberosum Rottler) has been used as an effective method to control Panama 
disease (Fusarium wilt) of banana in South China. However, the underlying 
mechanism is unknown. In this study, we used aqueous leachates and volatiles 
from Chinese chive to evaluate their antimicrobial activity on Fusarium 
oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (FOC), the causal agent of Panama disease in 
banana, and identified the antifungal compounds. Both leaf and root leachates of 
Chinese chive displayed strong inhibition against FOC, but the concentrated 
leachates showed lower inhibition than the original leachates. In a sealed 
system volatiles emitted from the leaves and roots of Chinese chive inhibited 
mycelial growth of FOC. Volatile compounds emitted from the intact growing roots 
mimicking natural environment inhibited spore germination of FOC. We identified 
five volatiles including 2-methyl-2-pentenal and four organosulfur compounds 
(dimethyl trisulfide, dimethyl disulfide, dipropyl disulfide, and dipropyl 
trisulfide) from the leaves and roots of Chinese chive. All these compounds 
exhibited inhibitory effects on FOC, but 2-methyl-2-pentenal and dimethyl 
trisulfide showed stronger inhibition than the other three compounds. 
2-Methyl-2-pentenal at 50-100 μl/l completely inhibited the mycelial growth of 
FOC. Our results demonstrate that antifungal volatiles released from Chinese 
chive help control Panama disease in banana. We conclude that intercropping and 
rotating banana with Chinese chive can control Panama disease and increase 
cropland biodiversity.