Breakthrough in the fight against devastating banana diseases: first resistant plant developed

Researchers led by Wageningen company KeyGene have developed a banana plant that is resistant to both Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) and Black Sigatoka, two of the most destructive diseases for bananas. Professor of Phytopathology Gert Kema at Wageningen University & Research was involved as an advisor. He views the development of the new hybrid, named Yelloway One, as a major breakthrough in banana cultivation: ″We’ve known for some time that conventional breeding can help us develop plants resistant to these diseases. Now we’ve proven it, and more importantly, we’ve demonstrated that by using the latest genetic tools, we can do it much faster than others. This is of great importance for the future of banana farming.″

New Hybrid Banana Offers Solution to Global Diseases

The development of Yelloway One comes at a critical time for global banana cultivation. TR4 and Black Sigatoka have caused significant damage in recent years, resulting in losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Until now, no resistant banana variety has been available, placing immense pressure on farmers and the banana sector as a whole. Yelloway One is the product of conventional breeding techniques. The plant is resistant to TR4, a fungus capable of devastating entire plantations, and Black Sigatoka, a leaf disease that drastically reduces yields. Both diseases have been long-standing threats to the banana industry, particularly to the widely exported Cavendish banana.

Faster innovation through collaboration

The breakthrough was achieved through a collaboration between Chiquita, KeyGene, MusaRadix, and Wageningen University & Research. The team of experts employed a combination of traditional crossbreeding techniques and modern DNA analysis technology to accelerate the process of developing resistant banana varieties. This allowed them to select new varieties with desired traits, such as disease resistance, more quickly and efficiently. "The fact that banana producer Chiquita is one of the partners doesn't mean that other banana growers won't have access to these new varieties," says Kema. "We are collaborating with several organizations to ensure that this technology is available to other programs as well. Moreover, we are using the technology to develop or improve varieties for local markets," the professor added.

From greenhouse to field trials

Yelloway One is still a prototype and is currently being grown in a greenhouse in the Netherlands. The plants will soon be sent to regions in the Philippines and Indonesia, where TR4 and Black Sigatoka have caused significant damage. Field trials will determine how well Yelloway One performs in a natural environment. These trials are crucial in assessing whether Yelloway One can provide a viable solution for farmers in severely affected regions.

More diversity and sustainability

Yelloway One is the first step in the broader Yelloway initiative. The goal is to develop a continuous stream of excellent and resistant banana varieties that are genetically diverse. This will not only increase the resilience of banana cultivation but also improve the sustainability of the sector. By introducing more variety into cultivation, farmers will be better equipped to respond to changes in climate and new diseases.

"This development means a great deal to millions of smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America," says Kema. "By introducing resistant and genetically diverse varieties, we can contribute to a more sustainable banana industry and reduce the impact of diseases." Kema expects that more resistant and innovative banana varieties will follow in the coming years, making the banana sector less vulnerable to disease and environmental threats.