{"id":2016,"date":"2022-04-21T10:35:36","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T10:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/horizon.peachpuff-wolverine-566518.hostingersite.com\/?p=2016"},"modified":"2022-04-21T10:35:36","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T10:35:36","slug":"calling-on-natural-defences-to-turn-back-banana-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2016\/calling-on-natural-defences-to-turn-back-banana-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling on natural defences to turn back banana pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the 1950s, the \u2018Gros Michel\u2019 variety of banana was wiped out by Panama disease. The banana crop in some locations was basically eliminated by the disease of fusarium wilt, caused by a pathogen that enters the plant through the roots.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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With no defence possible, the only solution for the banana industry was to cultivate a different banana variety called the Cavendish, which was naturally immune to Panama disease. In that way, the Cavendish variety rose to become the most traded banana crop in the world today.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the disease that causes fusarium wilt has mutated and now the Cavendish crop is no longer immune. It too is being decimated by fungal disease.<\/p>\n

\u2018This fungus is a complete nightmare,\u2019 said Dr Aurelio Ciancio, from the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection at the National Research Council of Italy in Bari.<\/p>\n

\u2018Producers are worried because it\u2019s spreading quickly around the world,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

Ciancio is the coordinator of the MUSA research project.\u00a0\u2018Traditional control measures are limited and this fungus is clearly capable of killing plants at speed,\u2019\u202fhe said.<\/p>\n

Funded by the EU and working with partners from Europe, Africa and Latin America, MUSA spent four years investigating the use of bio-controls, or natural agents in plant defence.<\/p>\n

Banana bugbear<\/strong><\/p>\n

The banana\u2019s bugbear is dubbed Tropical Race 4 (TR4) also known as Panama 4. First identified in Taiwan in 1990, the mould causes fusarium wilt in the Cavendish cultivar. Entering through the roots, it chokes off the plant\u2019s energy supply, killing it from within.<\/p>\n

TR4 has been detected in banana growing areas around the world. It spreads stealthily in contaminated soil or water, remaining undetected until it invades the plant. By the time its effects are visible, as the banana plant turns yellow and wilts, it\u2019s too late. TR4 has moved on to strike its next victim, destroying banana plantations as it goes.<\/p>\n

The TR4 fungus has been identified in places as far afield as Australia, Mayotte, Mozambique, Peru and Colombia. Once again, just like with Panama disease, the 23-billion-euro global banana industry faces an existential threat.<\/p>\n

The bananas we buy have a narrow genetic base. Because they reproduce by cloning, they are all practically identical, genetically speaking. All bananas in the world are susceptible because the Cavendish is a monocultural crop with zero resistance to TR4.<\/p>\n

Microbiology<\/strong><\/p>\n

MUSA research focuses on rhizosphere microbiology, which is the study of microorganisms in the soil around a plant\u2019s roots where micro-organisms thrive.<\/p>\n

Microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria and nematodes (microscopic worms) may be our natural allies in the fight against banana diseases.<\/p>\n

When it comes to rhizosphere microbiology, said Ciancio, \u2018There are the good guys, and the bad guys.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Our aim has been to identify the good guys,\u2019 he said. These are the microorganisms that will help plants to feed, activate their natural defences or even turn the tables and attack pathogens and pests that threaten the plant.<\/p>\n

The scope of the MUSA project included not just TR4 but other severe problems banana plants encounter, notably plant parasitic nematodes (tiny worms which disrupt nutrient and water uptake) and black weevil (one of the most serious insect pests facing bananas). The MUSA team collected and sequenced thousands of biocontrol agents with encouraging results.<\/p>\n

MUSA partners in Costa Rica discovered a fungus that can reduce the impact of disruptive nematodes, or tiny worms, which attack the plant. On the other hand, in Cuba, MUSA partners conducted research on a type of nematode that fights the deadly black weevil insect.<\/p>\n

Natural defences<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overall, their findings demonstrate how microorganisms in the rhizosphere may help to prime banana plants\u2019 natural defences and sustain its roots.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, on the tropical island of R\u00e9union in the Indian Ocean, TR4 is not yet present but the threat looms large. \u2018The diseases we\u2019re studying are now very close to the border,\u2019 explains Bernard Reynaud, Professor of Plant Biology and Ecology at R\u00e9union University, Head of the CIRAD Laboratory and coordinator of the EU-funded INDICANTS project.<\/p>\n

Beginning earlier this year, INDICANTS plans to develop rapid tests to detect the presence of harmful bacteria or fungi in banana plants.<\/p>\n

\u2018For bananas the issue is that there are lots of epidemics in small areas and we\u2019re trying to limit their expansions,\u2019 said Reynaud. \u2018For this, we need a rapid, specific, and sensitive diagnostic test.\u2019<\/p>\n

He and CIRAD colleague Dr Isabelle Rob\u00e8ne, are working on a low cost, mobile DNA-based diagnostics kit that detects multiple pathogens at once, including TR4.<\/p>\n

\u2018TR4 cannot be controlled using fungicides and cannot be eradicated from soil using fumigants,\u2019 said Dr Rob\u00e8ne, a specialist in plant pathology and molecular diagnostics.<\/p>\n

Rob\u00e8ne explains that current diagnosis is often unreliable and slow, which can allow TR4 to escape. The INDICANTS solution would enable scientists to test and have results back in just 20 minutes, which could be a game-changer.<\/p>\n

\u2018With rapid molecular diagnostics, you\u2019d quickly apply control and containment measures,\u2019 she said. \u2018You\u2019d fence off an area, you\u2019d prevent transportation from that area, and you\u2019d destroy the infected plant material,\u2019<\/p>\n

The toolkit which Rob\u00e8ne and colleagues are working on must be validated through inter-laboratory tests and field surveys.<\/p>\n

Food security<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is now being further optimised to ensure that it can detect the four common vascular diseases affecting bananas. The next phase for the MUSA team is to develop commercial biocontrol products and technical innovations that can reach farmers and banana producers.<\/p>\n

The technique of using nature\u2019s solutions to fight nature\u2019s problems has much potential for addressing other food security challenges, argues MUSA\u2019s Ciancio.<\/p>\n

\u2018In just one or two grams of soil we have thousands of microbial species,\u2019 he said. \u2018It\u2019s a black box which we can use against these diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n

The research in this article was funded by the EU. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the 1950s, the \u2018Gros Michel\u2019 variety of banana was wiped out by Panama disease. The banana crop in some locations was basically eliminated by the disease of fusarium wilt, caused by a pathogen that enters the plant through the roots.   With no defence possible, the only solution for the banana industry was to … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":2017,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"generate_page_header":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-earth-energy-environment"],"yoast_head":"\nCalling on natural defences to turn back banana pandemic - Horizon Magazine Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2016\/calling-on-natural-defences-to-turn-back-banana-pandemic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Calling on natural defences to turn back banana pandemic\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In the 1950s, the \u2018Gros Michel\u2019 variety of banana was wiped out by Panama disease. 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Today, there are 10 million new cases worldwide and\u00a01.6 million deaths\u00a0from the disease every year. Increasingly, these cases are becoming difficult to treat as the bug that causes the disease can be resistant to antibiotics. However, several new TB\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Image credit - Public Domain Files, this picture is in the public domain","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/03\/tblung.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/03\/tblung.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/03\/tblung.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/03\/tblung.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/03\/tblung.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/03\/tblung.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":820,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/820\/rare-crops-crucial-to-protect-europes-food-supply-boost-health\/","url_meta":{"origin":2016,"position":1},"title":"Rare crops crucial to protect Europe\u2019s food supply, boost health","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"May 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"by Alex Whiting Rye bread or porridge oats may not be everyone\u2019s first choice of breakfast, but scientists say Europeans need to broaden their taste in cereals both to boost their own health and to protect the future of Europe\u2019s farming. Wheat makes up nearly\u00a0half of all cereals grown in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Minor cereals such as einkorn can add to the diversity of our food production.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/einkorn-589213_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/einkorn-589213_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/einkorn-589213_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/einkorn-589213_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/einkorn-589213_1920.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/einkorn-589213_1920.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1620,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1620\/why-gut-bacteria-are-becoming-key-suspects-in-autoimmune-diseases\/","url_meta":{"origin":2016,"position":2},"title":"Why gut bacteria are becoming key suspects in autoimmune diseases","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"February 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The human immune system is powerful and complex. It must be on guard at all times and be able to distinguish friend from foe. Unfortunately, it does not always get it right and sometimes attacks the body\u2019s own cells, causing hundreds of \u2018autoimmune\u2019 diseases, from multiple sclerosis (MS) to rheumatoid\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/daria-shevtsova-k_RYBedEvDw-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/daria-shevtsova-k_RYBedEvDw-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/daria-shevtsova-k_RYBedEvDw-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/daria-shevtsova-k_RYBedEvDw-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/daria-shevtsova-k_RYBedEvDw-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/daria-shevtsova-k_RYBedEvDw-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2020,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2020\/organic-pesticides-to-provide-natural-protection-for-endangered-crops\/","url_meta":{"origin":2016,"position":3},"title":"Organic pesticides to provide natural protection for endangered crops","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"April 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Some vitally important European crops like vines and olives are being devastated by disease. Scientists are searching for biological replacements for chemical pesticides to improve crop and human health. \u00a0 The threat to agriculture from invasive species is huge. The United Nations (UN) estimates that plant disease costs the world\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/fabio_michele_cape.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/fabio_michele_cape.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/fabio_michele_cape.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/fabio_michele_cape.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/fabio_michele_cape.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1665,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1665\/pheromones-mulch-and-wildflowers-how-to-control-pests-without-pesticides\/","url_meta":{"origin":2016,"position":4},"title":"Pheromones, mulch and wildflowers \u2013 how to control pests without pesticides","author":"Anthony King","date":"March 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Pheromones that interfere with insect mating patterns, crops that are grown together with others and fields edged with wildflowers are just some of the techniques being developed by European scientists to defend crops from pests without resorting to pesticides, which have been\u00a0linked to widespread insect biodiversity loss. Most crops require\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/Is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-good-weed-Predatory-hoverfly-on-weed-plant-Severin-Hatt-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/Is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-good-weed-Predatory-hoverfly-on-weed-plant-Severin-Hatt-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/Is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-good-weed-Predatory-hoverfly-on-weed-plant-Severin-Hatt-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/Is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-good-weed-Predatory-hoverfly-on-weed-plant-Severin-Hatt-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/Is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-good-weed-Predatory-hoverfly-on-weed-plant-Severin-Hatt-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/Is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-good-weed-Predatory-hoverfly-on-weed-plant-Severin-Hatt-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2339,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2339\/cardiovascular-disease-researchers-pinpoint-missing-piece-of-treatment-puzzle\/","url_meta":{"origin":2016,"position":5},"title":"Cardiovascular disease: researchers pinpoint missing piece of treatment puzzle","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"April 3, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"With new findings that the immune system plays a key role in conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, options emerge for new cures. By\u00a0\u00a0VITTORIA D\u2019ALESSIO Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for\u00a032% of all deaths. While the illness is triggered to a large extent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/ANUPAM1-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/ANUPAM1-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/ANUPAM1-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/ANUPAM1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/ANUPAM1-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/ANUPAM1-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/298"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2016"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}