Cavendish bananas could become extinct due to a ‘catastrophic’ fungal disease, scientists warn

About Half of the world’s bananas are threatened with extinction due to a fungal disease that threatens plantations in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, Central America and South America.

It’s about the banana fusariosisalso known as the Panama diseasewhich affects Cavendish bananas by attacking their vascular system and reducing the amount of water they absorb from the soil.

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These banana varieties are the most consumed worldwide and represent 47% of global production. Strangely enough, they were introduced in 1947 to replace the Gros Michel, another banana variety that became extinct due to Panama disease.

Although the Cavendish was immune to this fungus, it is no longer immune to its new species, the TR4discovered in 1997.

How Cavendish bananas become contaminated

The fungal disease is transmitted via movement of infected banana plants, plant material And floor And water contaminated. People, vehicles, machines and animals are vectors of the fungus.

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The first signs of the fungus appear in the leaves of the trees, which turn yellow, then turn a brown tint and wilt. Bananas rot from the inside out, which becomes apparent when you open the fruit and see it being digested by the fungus.

The scientific answer

To prevent the extinction of Cavendish bananas, scientists are working on a genetically modified version to resist the TR4 strain.

According to Daily emailA group of researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) are developing a modified variety of Cavendish bananas called QCAV-4, which has already been shown to be resistant to the species.

This banana variety has been successfully planted for six years and could be the answer to a possible extinction of the typical Cavendish bananas. (JO)