A lethal fungal disease threatens the popular Cavendish banana, just as it did with the Gros Michel variety in the past.
This disease, Panama Disease tropical race 4 (TR4), infects banana plants and is spreading globally. While some scientists are developing genetically modified TR4-resistant Cavendish bananas or exploring grafting and natural selection methods, others argue that diversifying banana cultivation to reduce disease susceptibility is the real solution.
Monoculture of a single banana variety, such as the Cavendish, makes the entire crop vulnerable to diseases. Introducing a variety of bananas could enhance disease resistance, offer consumers more choices, and potentially increase profits for growers.
However, the shift to diverse banana cultivation faces practical challenges, including increased costs and changes in transportation and ripening methods.