Jonathan Wilhoite Blog: Stop Banana Extinction: Let’s Check What Science Can Do

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Stop Banana Extinction: Let’s Check What Science Can Do

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CNN.com reports that the banana’s annual production reaches over 100 million metric tons in over 130 countries. The demand is quite overwhelming. However, in as much as we would want to rejoice over that fact, there’s a more pressing issue on hand. It appears that the Cavendish banana is facing a bigger problem.

Fungal diseases are the culprits. We might face a devastating situation if we do not find a solution to these problems. Plant scientists are on the move. They’re trying to develop the genetics of banana varieties as well as pathogens to avoid Cavendish extinction.

Can Science Stop The Looming Banana Extinction?

The familiar bright yellow Cavendish banana is ubiquitous in supermarkets and fruit bowls, but it is in imminent danger. The vast worldwide monoculture of genetically identical plants leaves the Cavendish intensely vulnerable to disease outbreaks. Read more…

Jacqueline Mazur from Wgno.com says that this type of species belong to the group of 47 percent bananas grown worldwide, and 99 percent sold for exportation purposes.

The diseases severely affected the industry before and it was the fungus Fusariumoxysporumf.sp. cubense (Foc) that started it. It infects the root and vascular system of the plan which results to wilting and eventually leads to the death of the plant.

This is the condition known as Fusarium wilt. It’s quite difficult to resolve because this spreads in soil, water and plant material. The fungus is capable of living in the soil for decades. Even fungicides have been ineffective but the good thing is, the Cavendish species is resistant to this strain.

The actual problem now is a new strain of Fusariumoxysporum, or Tropical Race 4 (TR4).

Don’t Go Bananas! Scientists Are Trying To Save Bananas From Extinction

Fungal diseases severely devastated the banana industry at least once in history and the fungus Fusariumoxysporumf.sp. cubense (Foc) is known to infect banana plant root and vascular systems thus inhibiting the plant from transporting water and nutrients, eventually causing the plant to wilt and die. Read more…

Brianna Wippman from Foodandwine.com says that another type of infection is the Black Sigatoka. It is currently being managed by growers through pruning and fungicide application because if it is not controlled, production may decline by 35-50 percent. On the other hand, TR4 is even a more serious issue and it definitely gives us signs of trouble. It hasn’t reached Latin America and the Caribbean. Scientists can buy some time in replacing the breed. It’s a good thing that researchers were able to determine the genome sequencing of both the fruit and fungi which helps find disease-resistant genes in bananas.

Bananas Could Be Heading for Extinction

Enjoy your smoothies and pancakes while you still can; bananas could soon disappear. According to The Conversation, a disease known as Tropical Race (TR4) is threatening banana crops in the Middle East, Africa and many Southeast Asian countries.Read more…

Hopefully, the scientists will be able to find a definite solution to the problem. We certainly do not want to lose this potassium-rich fruit.

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