The aim of the present study was to scrutinize the response of banana (Grand 
Naine variety) plants when interacting with dead or live pathogen, Fusarium 
oxysporum f.sp. cubense, a causative agent of Panama disease. Response of plants 
was evaluated in terms of induction of defense-related marker enzyme activity, 
namely, peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), β-1,3 glucanase, chitinase, 
and phenolics. Plant's interaction with live pathogen resulted in early 
induction of defense to restrain penetration as well as antimicrobial 
productions. However, pathogen overcame the defense of plant and caused disease. 
Interaction with dead pathogen resulted in escalating defense response in 
plants. Later on plants inoculated with dead pathogen showed resistance to even 
forced inoculation of live pathogen. Results obtained in the present study 
suggest that dead pathogen was able to mount defense response in plants and 
provide resistance to Panama disease upon subsequent exposure. Therefore, 
preparation from dead pathogen could be a potential candidate as a biocontrol 
agent or plant vaccine to combat Panama disease.