Deadly Banana Disease Spreads to Middle East, Will Likely Spread to Africa, Researchers Say

A new study in the journal Plant Disease suggests that a fungal pathogen known as Panama disease has again spread to new territory, potentially affecting banana crops in the Middle East.

An unchecked outbreak of Panama disease can spell catastrophe for banana plantations; the plants die en mass and the soil is contaminated for decades.

Upon the introduction of the Panama disease-resistant Cavendish banana in the 20th century, banana crops were saved the world over. But toward the end of the 20th century, a highly aggressive strain of Panama disease emerged. Known as Tropical Race 4 (TR4), the strain is "starting to have a huge effect on the Cavendish cultivar in Southeast Asia and there is currently no way to protect the banana," according to a news release from Wageningen University and Research Center in the Netherlands.

Researchers have confirmed the presence of TR4 in banana crops in Jordan, suggesting that the strain of the deadly fungus has migrated beyond Southeast Asia. Relatively few bananas are grown in Jordan -- only about 1,300 hectares of cropland are used to grow the fruit -- but 80 percent of Jordan's banana plantations are infected with TR4, the researchers found. 

Wageningen University scientist Gert Kema said it's only a matter of time before TR4 spreads into Africa, which could be detrimental there because so many people rely on eating bananas as a daily form of sustenance. Uganda, for example, has the highest average consumption of bananas in the world.

"A concerted international approach is now needed to prevent the spread of Panama disease and, in the worst-case scenario, contain it," Kema said.

For more information about bananas and Panama disease, visit www.panamadisease.org.