Bananas.org - View Single Post - Panama and fusarium wilt resistance gene found!

Drew · 06-04-2009, 10:06 AM

Just treat popular media on resistance to Panama disease (Fusarium wilt of banana) with healthy reservation. A few points/facts:
a) there are a number of different strains of this pathogen, each generally capable of attacking a limited range of banana varieties
b) the strain currently creating headlines, wreaking havoc in Asia (incl. China) and Darwin (Australia) and feared in Latin America, is "Tropical" race 4
c) this strain is more severe than all others (known) and is capable of infecting most of the varieties cultivated worldwide, threatening up to 80% of the worlds banana production
d) resistance is a complex issue and may be controlled by more than 1 gene
e) the plants being trialled in Australia have been altered with one implanted gene and are not currently being tested against the "Tropical" race 4 strain.
In saying this, the only long-term solution to this pathogen ("Tropical" race 4) for sustainable banana production in any location that it occurs may be transgenic plants (GM).

06-04-2009, 10:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
Drew Drew Location: Darwin, Australia Find me on the map! Zone: Tropical Savannah/Dry Tropics Name: Drew Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 9 BananaBucks : 1,238 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 9 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Panama and fusarium wilt resistance gene found! Just treat popular media on resistance to Panama disease (Fusarium wilt of banana) with healthy reservation. A few points/facts: a) there are a number of different strains of this pathogen, each generally capable of attacking a limited range of banana varieties b) the strain currently creating headlines, wreaking havoc in Asia (incl. China) and Darwin (Australia) and feared in Latin America, is "Tropical" race 4 c) this strain is more severe than all others (known) and is capable of infecting most of the varieties cultivated worldwide, threatening up to 80% of the worlds banana production d) resistance is a complex issue and may be controlled by more than 1 gene e) the plants being trialled in Australia have been altered with one implanted gene and are not currently being tested against the "Tropical" race 4 strain. In saying this, the only long-term solution to this pathogen ("Tropical" race 4) for sustainable banana production in any location that it occurs may be transgenic plants (GM).