Australia has launched a research project for TR4-resistant bananas

TR4 (Panama Tropical Race 4) is a disease that affects banana plantations in most producing regions including Asia and Australia, and more recently South America. In Australia a new AUD 9.8 million (USD 6.7 million) research project has just been launched.

 

QUT (Queensland University of Technology) have launched a AUS 9.8 million (USD 6.7 million) research project to develop Cavendish and Goldfinger bananas resistant to TR4 (Panama Tropical Race 4), the deadly disease that threatens global production. The researchers aim to use recent advances in genetics to improve these varieties, particularly Golfinger.

 

"We are now able to make very small changes to the genome of a banana that can have spectacular effects on the phenotype of the banana, from disease resistance, to fruit quality, to taste and texture," said Professor James Dale, QUT project leader.

 

"TR4 presents a challenge to Australian banana growers. If successful, this research to develop genetically engineered TR4 resistant varieties will be a game changer," said Jim Pekin, chief executive of the Australian Banana Growers' Council (ABGC).

 

Australia has about 13,000 hectares of bananas, 94% of which are located in four regions in northern Queensland. TR4 was first detected in March 2015 in a banana farm in North Queensland. Thanks to the efforts of growers and the relevant authorities, by the end of 2020 the disease was contained to just 5 farms. The Cavendish variety accounts for 95% of Australian production.