Global alert: the Cavendish banana threatened with extinction!
A staple of breakfasts and desserts, the Cavendish banana is now facing an unprecedented threat. A fearsome fungus, Panama disease, tropical race 4 (TR4), is endangering this variety, which dominates the world market. In the face of this danger, scientists and farmers are joining forces to try and preserve this emblematic fruit. We tell you more ;).
An essential variety in danger
The Cavendish banana (Musa acuminata), which accounts for around 47% of bananas consumed worldwide, is now threatened by a devastating fungal disease: Panama disease, tropical race 4 (TR4). This infection attacks the roots of banana plants, preventing them from absorbing water and leading to their progressive wilting (Insider). Every year, over 100 billion bananas are consumed worldwide, making this threat particularly worrying for the agri-food industry and global food security(New Scientist).
A familiar but more virulent disease
TR4 is a modern variant of an ancient fungal strain, Tropical Race 1, which had already decimated the "Gros Michel" banana variety in the 1950s. This extinction forced growers to turn to Cavendish, reputed to be more resistant at the time. However, the situation is being repeated today with TR4, which is spreading rapidly in plantations around the world. James Dale, a professor at Queensland University of Technology, points out that the emergency is comparable to that experienced nearly 80 years ago(Insider).
Scientific solutions under study
In response to this threat, several scientific initiatives are underway. The Queensland University of Technology has developed a genetically modified version of Cavendish, called QCAV-4, which showed strong resistance to TR4 in tests in Australia (New Scientist). Meanwhile, Cambridge University is exploring grafting as an alternative, while the Taiwan Banana Research Institute is conducting natural selection experiments to identify naturally resistant plants(New Scientist). Finally, some specialists, such as journalist Dan Koeppel, advocate diversifying the varieties of bananas marketed, along the lines of the apple market, in order to limit the risk of spreading disease and stimulate the agricultural economy (Insider).
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