Chironex

After reading about the epidemic of Panama disease spreading through much of Southern China, I came across this article. Very encouraging news. Perhaps one of our experts can speak to this to give us the inside track on progress in field trials.

Scientists grow disease resistant banana plant

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Scot

Chironex

Also trying to get this article emailed to me:
"Responses of new banana accessions in South Florida to Panama disease"
Published in : Crop Protection, Volume 18, Issue 7, August 1999, Pages 445-449
Randy C. Ploetz, Jody L. Haynes and Aimé Vázquez

I tried emailing the authors, but the link returns as unknown
If you have access through your University library, please email it to me. I would like to read the article for research in China. Who knows, maybe I will find a job in the banana field!

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Scot

Bananaman88

That's great news if it turns out to be true.

lorax

Scot - try asking them if they'd like to be republished in BQ. I'd be very interested in seeing that kind of article.

Chironex

I wish that I could, however the email address comes back as undeliverable. Once I get the article, I will contact the authors.
It came from the University of Florida. The Disease-resistant banana research is from Queensland, Australia.
Note, too, that there are several interesting links to banana-related articles on the bottom of the page.

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Scot

Drew

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).

lorax

Ah yes, but the test plantations here in Ecuador are being tried against Race 4 with some success... These are exclusively hybrid plants, as GM is illegal here.

Drew

Interesting stuff, thanks. Any chance you could provide further, more specific info or direct me to any articles on the trials in Ecuador?

lorax

Do you read Spanish?

Drew

No, but can have it translated.

Drew

Hi, most excellent of Dr Seuss' creations, still keen to receive the article in Spanish if you can send it...Cheers (banana) beers

Caloosamusa

Que bueno!! Esta muy bien!! Gracias por la informacion!! (That's good, That's very good, Thank you for the information!).

We don't have race 4 of Fusarium here in Florida yet, as far as we know, hopefully we can keep it out, but it is best to be prepared for it!

Are initial results of the trials promising?

Drew

Good day!
The trials have only just been approved to go ahead in Darwin, so next year will provide an indication. I hope Tropical Race 4 doesn't take up residence there in Florida.
Cheers