Tropical Race 4 might sound like the latest installment of a popular racing simulator video game but it is actually the term given to a fungus which has infected banana species all over the world, threatening the world’s most popular fruit with near endangerment.
Scientists say that this recently discovered disease could result in an impact quite similar to the outbreak which had originally drove the Gros Michel banana variety all the way to extinction six decades ago.
And, sure enough, this new fungal disease is known as Tropical Race 4 and it is already responsible for killing banana trees and destroying plantations in Pakistan, Africa, Jordan, Mozambique, and Australia in 2013. But that is only the most recent incident—and perhaps the most destructive in a single event—as scientists report that the disease has been wreaking havoc in Southeast Asia for at least a decade, probably more.
Through the extensive study, though, the researchers have found that the Cavendish seems to be the banana variety most affected. The report, published on November 19th in the scientific journal PLOS Pathogen, notes, “Ever since [Tropical Race 4] destroyed the Cavendish-based banana industry in Taiwan, its trail in Southeast Asia seems unstoppable with incursions and expansions in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi and Yunnan as well as on the island of Hainan.”
This disease attacks the very root of the plant and, unfortunately, is known to be quite resistant to fungicide. It is also unfortunate because after it claimed the extinction of the Gros Michel, farmers turned to the Cavendish, which is now, again, under threat just the same as before. And now banana producers are concerned that they will not be able to cultivate new varieties:
The researchers say, “Developing new banana cultivars, however, requires major investments in research and development and the recognition of the banana as a global stable and cash crop (rather than an orphan crop) that supports the livelihoods of millions of small-holder farmers.”
