Bananas are one of the world’s most common fruit. According to experts, 100 billion bananas are consumed every year and the Cavendish banana type make up 95%.
This specie is usually resistant but a new fungus has surfaced that attacks this variety and quickly spreads throughout this commercial crop.
Although chemicals can help, scientists have discovered a way to solve this problem. The solution is to grow the plant without using soil.
A virus infested Banana tree
The first set of soil-less grown bananas is ready for harvest this week as part of an association between the Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Chiquita Brands International.
The fungus which dwells in the soil is affecting banana plantations all over the world.
This soil dwelling fungus wiped out the Gros Michel banana which was the most widely consumed in the 50s hence making the Cavendish variety the most dominant.
The TR4 strain, which was identified in Taiwan in the 1960s has spread throughout…
