Fusarium wilt, also known as Panama disease, is a serious soil disease that affects Cavendish bananas worldwide. With its virulent strains of race 4, this disease causes significant damage. Dr. Andrew Chen, a co-author of the study and a geneticist, noted: “The search for and integration of natural resistance from wild bananas represents a long-term solution to the pathogen that causes plant death and leaves spores in the soil for future infections.”
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia have made an important step towards protecting the global banana supply. They discovered a region in the banana genome responsible for resistance to the Fusarium wilt strain known as subtropical race 4 (STR4), which threatens bananas in subtropical areas. Details about the identified genomic region were published in the journal Horticulture Research and may lead to the development of new, more disease-resistant banana varieties.
The team conducted a complex project over five years to save bananas from extinction. They crossed the wild banana Calcutta 4 with other vulnerable varieties. After exposing the hybrid plants to STR4, the scientists examined their DNA and compared it with the DNA of both dead and surviving plants. The results showed that the Calcutta 4 banana has resistance to STR4, which is linked to chromosome 5.
Despite its important genetic resistance, the Calcutta 4 banana is not suitable for commercial production, as its fruits are not edible. “The next step is to create molecular markers for effectively tracking resistance traits, which will allow breeders to conduct early and accurate seedling screening,” Chen added. This will speed up the breeding process and ultimately may lead to the development of an edible banana that is easy to grow and protected from Fusarium wilt due to its genetics.
According to information, banana suppliers worldwide are actively working to protect this important industry, valued at $140 billion. Bananas rank fourth among food crops globally, after wheat, rice, and corn. Over 80 percent of the harvest is intended for local consumption, and more than 400 million people derive 15 to 27 percent of their daily calories from this fruit.
Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and CEO of Fresh Del Monte Produce, noted during a conference call in July 2025: “It is easy to take bananas for granted. But behind this simplicity lies one of the most complex and mutually beneficial supply chains in agriculture. We must work together to support producers and stabilize this supply chain to prevent the extinction of this fruit and the livelihoods associated with it.” This is an important reality that requires attention and action.
