The Cavendish banana is being atracked by the TR4 fungus and needs to be hybridized

The gross Michelle banana was taken over by the TR1 fungi which caused its demise.

What varieties could replace the. Canvendish, since it is being attacked by the TR4 fungus?

The Gros Michel banana was wiped out by a fungus in the 1950s (TR1). 

The Cavendish banana is now the most popular banana variety in the world, but it is also being attacked by a fungus called Tropical Race 4 (TR4).

Some varieties of bananas that could replace Cavendish include:

Red banana: This banana has a reddish-purple skin and a sweet, slightly tart flavor. It is a good source of antioxidants.

Red banana

Lady Finger banana: These bananas are small and slender, with a sweet, delicate flavor. They are often used in salads or desserts.

Lady Finger banana

Goldfinger banana: This banana is a hybrid of the Cavendish and Gros Michel bananas. It is resistant to TR4 and has a sweet, creamy flavor.

Goldfinger banana

Prata banana: This banana is a type of plantain that is resistant to TR4. It has a starchy, savory flavor and is often used in soups and stews.

Prata banana

FHIA-18 banana: This banana is a hybrid of the Cavendish and Gros Michel bananas. It is resistant to TR4 and has a sweet, creamy flavor.

There are a few ways that growers could mix the Cavendish with other varieties genetically. One way is to cross-breed the Cavendish with other varieties. This would create a hybrid banana that has the genes of both varieties. Another way is to use genetic engineering to insert genes from other varieties into the Cavendish. This would create a genetically modified banana that has the desired traits of the other varieties.

Here are some specific techniques that growers could use to mix the Cavendish with other varieties genetically:

Traditional cross-breeding: 

This is the most common way to genetically mix bananas. Growers would cross-pollinate the Cavendish with another variety, such as the Gros Michel. This would create a hybrid banana that has the genes of both varieties.

Gene editing: 

This is a newer technique that allows scientists to insert or remove specific genes from a plant's DNA. Growers could use gene editing to insert genes from other varieties into the Cavendish, such as genes that make the banana resistant to disease.

Somatic cell fusion: 

This technique is used to combine the cells of two different plants. Growers could use somatic cell fusion to combine the cells of the Cavendish with the cells of another variety, such as the Gros Michel. This would create a hybrid banana that has the genes of both varieties.

Each of these techniques has its own advantages and disadvantages. 

Traditional cross-breeding is a relatively simple technique, but it can be time-consuming and difficult to control. Gene editing is a more precise technique, but it can be expensive and there is some risk of unintended consequences. 

Somatic cell fusion is a relatively new technique, but it has the potential to create very precise and stable hybrids.

The best technique for mixing the Cavendish with other varieties genetically will depend on the specific goals of the growers. If the goal is to create a hybrid banana that is resistant to disease, then gene editing may be the best option. If the goal is to create a hybrid banana that has the taste and texture of the Gros Michel, then traditional cross-breeding may be the best option.

* It is important to note that any genetically modified banana would need to be approved by regulatory agencies before it could be grown commercially. However, the techniques described above could be used to create new and improved varieties of bananas that are more resistant to disease and have better taste and texture.

www.researchgate.net

FHIA-18 banana

These are just a few of the many varieties of bananas that are being researched as potential replacements for Cavendish. It is still too early to say which variety will be the most successful, but there is hope that a new, TR4-resistant banana variety will be available in the near future.

-Unlikely Buddha 2023