Volume: 1, 2022
1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: T042
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.T042
Published online: 26 April 2022
ICDSUPL, 1, T042 (2022)
May bananas go extinct? The epidemic of Panama disease
Robert Waraczewski1, Adam S. Grdeń1 and Bartosz G. Sołowiej1*
1 Department of Dairy Technology and Functional Foods, Faculty of Food Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Skromna 8, 20-704 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: bartosz.solowiej@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Bananas are one of most popular fruits worldwide. Estimated export in 2020 reached a record high of 22.2 million tonnes, a 1.7% growth compared to 2019. They are cultivated in Malaysia, India, Africa, Australia, Caribbean, Latin and South America, mainly Ecuador, Costa Rica and Colombia. People value them for their taste, easy accessibility, low price, plenty of nutrients and vitamins, preparation versatility. They contain vitamins A, C, E, K and from B group, fibre, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and are abundant in potassium. In some countries, bananas and plantains (vegetable bananas) are the basis of diet and are consumed daily, like rice or potatoes. Banana intake is recommended in case of hypertension, kidney cancer prevention and lowering levels of LDL cholesterol. Sadly, these wonderful fruits may soon cease to exist. There is a deadly threat, that banana planters and food safety specialists are facing in this very moment. An illness called Panama disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum fungus is responsible for destroying 950.000 metric tonnes of crop yields annually. Previous variant of that disease almost caused a total wipeout of former mostly cultivated banana cultivar Gros Michel, making it unviable for commercial exploitation. This fate can also befall Cavendish cultivar if an action is not carried fast enough. Panama disease is very difficult to fight. Once infected, fields are doomed, no banana perennial herb can grow there, making prevention the only successful strategy so far. Yet, there may still be hope in one particular method, that science has to offer.
How to cite
R. Waraczewski, A.S. Grdeń, B.G. Sołowiej, 2022. May bananas go extinct? The epidemic of Panama disease. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/T042