The threat of Fusarium wilt
Fusarium wilt is not a new problem. The Gros Michel banana variety, which once dominated the global market, was decimated by the disease in the mid-twentieth century. In response, the Cavendish variety, which was resistant to the original strain of Fusarium wilt, was developed. However, the pathogen has evolved and the new tropical race 4 (TR4) — the latest variant of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum — now threatens the Cavendish variety.
Pooja Mathur, a leading researcher at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (Joint FAO/IAEA Centre), explains the seriousness of the situation: “The spread of TR4 is currently confirmed in 21 banana-producing countries and could have devastating effects on banana production and, consequently, on food security.”
Once a piece of farmland becomes contaminated with TR4, managing the disease is challenging and costly in all reported cases. This highlights the urgency of developing resistant banana varieties to safeguard the industry.
While Cavendish is widely known as a ‘table banana’ consumed as a dessert or fruit, many other banana varieties are staple foods, particularly in developing countries. These ‘cooking bananas’ are integral to the everyday diet of millions of people. For example, the Mchare banana, an East African diploid variety, is a popular cooking banana favoured in Tanzania and Uganda. These cooking bananas are also at risk of Fusarium wilt, posing a serious threat to food security in these regions.