banana case study

• 97% of internationally traded bananas are the cavendish variety. They have a low genetic diversity which makes them susceptible to disease. A fungal disease called Panama disease lives in the roots of a banana plant and stops it absorbing water and nutrients. The lack of genetic diversity in the cavendish banana causes the fungus to spread rapidly. 
• Scientists can increase genetic diversity of bananas by implementing breeding programs and genetically modifying cavendish bananas using the genes of wild bananas that have a greater disease resistance. 
• Implementing strict biosecurity measures can help reduce the spread of Panama disease, early detection and containment of any disease and improving the health of the soil to boost plant defences. 
• There is a mutated cavendish variety grown in the Philippines which is disease resistant. Biofungicide banacxin can prevent plants contracting Panama disease. 
• Deforestation threatens the success of finding a replacement variety of banana.