Half of the world's bananas are at risk of extinction

ArabiaWeather - Humans consume more than 100 billion bananas annually, most of which are Cavendish or dwarf bananas, but it seems that this consumption habit may face a major challenge, which is a fungal disease that threatens to take this fruit from the display arena.

Scientists have begun to alter genes to make the fruit more resistant to this disease. However, there is a belief that the best solution to this problem could be a radical change in the way all bananas are produced, so that farmers stop growing just one type of fruit.

Although there are more than a thousand types of bananas, 47% of the population consumes Cavendish bananas, and this type dominates the global banana market for several reasons, including:

• Its resistance to some diseases that threaten bananas
• It has a long shelf life after harvesting
• The possibility of growing it in larger quantities in the same area of land .

However, this species is now threatened by Panama disease TR4. This disease begins in the roots of the banana tree and spreads rapidly; This prevents the plant from absorbing water and performing photosynthesis, and ultimately leads to the death of the tree.

What is Panama disease TR4?

Panama disease (Panama TR4) is a serious disease that affects bananas. It is found on farms in Far North Queensland. It is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil. It is easily spread by the movement of infected banana plants, planting materials, and contaminated soil and water. The fungus moves up the trunk, preventing Tissues that carry water and nutrients, and the plant is eventually killed.

Where can we find the Panama TR4?

The Panama TR4 virus was first discovered in a northern region of Panama in 1997 , devastating the local banana industry in that region. In 2015, an epidemic of this virus was discovered in the heart of the banana-growing region in Far North Queensland, Australia, where a proportion of Reaching 95% of the country's banana crops, scientists have confirmed outbreaks on five farms, all of which were located within the Tuli Valley on the Cassowary Coast.

Joint efforts between the Queensland Government and banana growers have effectively succeeded in controlling and containing the spread of the Panama TR4 virus. However, we must keep in mind that the Panama TR4 virus cannot be eliminated in Panama, and therefore a high level of vigilance and continuous management of this disease must be maintained to protect the banana industry. in Queensland and the local economies that depend on it.

Internationally, the Panama virus TR4 is also known as “banana tropical wilt 4”. Since 1970, this disease has wreaked havoc in banana-growing areas in Asia, since 2013 in Africa, since 2019 in South America and until April 2021, the presence of the disease has been recorded. Bananas are grown in 27 different regions around the world, and these include the main banana producing regions of China, Colombia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Mozambique.

Panama disease TR4, its impact on the banana industry and ways to combat it

As for Panama disease TR4 , it does not affect any other fruit plants, but it affects most banana varieties, including the main commercial variety, Cavendish.

The disease affects banana production by making infected plants unmarketable, and once infection occurs, the fungus causing the disease persists in the soil for a long time; This makes the production of sensitive banana varieties economically unviable.

As for how the disease is transmitted to banana plants, the disease enters through the roots, where fungal spores grow, and threads are used to penetrate the roots through natural openings or wounds. The spores then spread through the stem, and once the blood vessels carrying water and nutrients are blocked, the plant dies.

The disease cannot be eliminated by any biological or chemical means, so control of the disease depends on early detection and rapid destruction of infected plants and the imposition of restrictions on the farm. It is necessary to report infected plants immediately to agricultural authorities to maintain the sustainability of the industry and protect it from the spread of the disease.

What is the TR4 disease control program?

Following the discovery of the first Panama TR4 infection in the region in 2015, Biosecurity Queensland established a dedicated Panama TR4 programme, which focuses on early response to this disease by monitoring commercial banana farms in the FNQ region and adopting precautionary measures to control known transmissible diseases.

Since 2019, through funding provided by the Australian Banana Growers Council (ABGC) for the Panama TR4 programme, a Board of Directors has been established with equal representation from government and the banana industry, and is responsible for guiding the strategies and management of the program until 30 June 2023.

From 1 July , the Australian Banana Growers Council will take over the leadership of Panama TR4 management and will guide the program under the guidance of a steering committee.

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Sources:

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