Banana

:For other meanings, see banana (disambiguation)

Banana pests and diseases

Bananas are subject to many pests and diseases, which can reduce crop yields. The limited genetic diversity of cultivated bananas (which is due to their asexual reproduction) make them vulnerable to diseases such as Black Sigatoka, and new strains of Panama disease, caused by the fungus Fusarium.

Related Topics:
Asexual reproduction - Black Sigatoka - Panama disease - Fungus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vegetative propagation (essential due to the lack of viable seeds in commercial bananas) has also resulted in the spread of virus disease across banana-growing areas on the world. Commercially important virus diseases of bananas include badnaviruses, which are responsible for banana streak disease. This disease is thought to arise from virus DNA integrated in the nuclear genome of Musa balbisiana, one of the wild species contributing to many of the banana cultivars currently grown. Banana streak disease can present a variety of symptoms, or may have little or no effect on infected banana plants if they are given plenty of fertilizer and well managed. Banana bunchy top virus is the most destructive banana virus in Asia, only has two effective methods of control - eradication of infected plants, and control of aphid vectors which spread the infection.

Related Topics:
Virus - Badnavirus - Genome - Symptoms - Fertilizer - Asia - Aphid - Vectors - Infection

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2003 Belgian plant pathologist Emile Frison of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain stated that the dominant commercial banana cultivar 'Cavendish' may become extinct within 10 years. The magazine New Scientist added, "We may see the extinction of the banana, currently a lifesaver for hungry and impoverished Africans and the most popular product on the world's supermarket shelves". The predecessor to 'Cavendish', the cultivar 'Gros Michel', had already suffered a similar fate.

Related Topics:
2003 - Belgian - Plant pathologist - Emile Frison - International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain - Cultivar - Extinct - Magazine - New Scientist - Hungry - Impoverished - Africa - Supermarket

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 'Cavendish' bananas make up about 10% of the total world banana crop, with small-scale farmers continuing to grow numerous other varieties which retain far greater genetic diversity, but which do not enter significantly into world trade, being consumed locally.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~