Scientists seek way to save bananas from disease
The gist
Researchers are testing a wild-banana gene and orange-peel nanoparticles to protect the fruit from disease and spoilage.
The banana most people eat is a clone, so a single disease can threaten the whole crop.
How it unfolded
- until the 1950sThe Gros Michel banana, described as a clone, was wiped out by a plant disease.
- date unknownA team in Australia inserted a gene from wild bananas into the top commercial variety as part of a mix of approaches to save the banana.
- Oct 22, 2026The Guardian published an article asking whether scientists have finally found a way to save the banana from disaster.