Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense (Foc) tropical race 4 (TR4) with external symptoms of FWB in Cavendish banana. Credit: Zhang et al.

Fusarium wilt of banana is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) tropical race 4 (TR4). While the outbreak is concerning for banana lovers around the world, there is some good news. “We now ...

This pandemic could spell farm-ageddon for the global banana market. While there are over 1,000 species of the crescent-shaped fruit, 47% of all bananas consumed by people are of the Cavendish strain.

Once present in a banana field, the fungus cannot be eradicated, making future production of Cavendish bananas almost impossible. CREDIT: A. Viljoen ...

Once present in a banana field, the fungus cannot be eradicated, making future production of Cavendish bananas almost impossible. view more Credit: A. Viljoen August 16, 2024 ...

The gas is toxic to the Cavendish banana. "This sudden burst of toxic gases facilitates infection by disarming the plant's defense system," Ma said in a piece for The Conversation.

They’ve now submitted their modified Cavendish banana variety, known as QCAV-4, to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for regulatory approval.

A banana plant with fusarium wilt disease. (Image credit: emarys via Getty Images) Cavendish bananas were bred to resist the strain of fusarium wilt that wiped out Gros Michel bananas.

A genetically modified banana has been approved for growing on farms for the first time. Regulators in Australia and New Zealand have given the go-ahead to a strain of the Cavendish banana altered ...