Scientists discover gene that could save bananas from deadly Panama disease
Science Daily
February 19, 2026
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Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could help save bananas from the devastating effects of Panama disease caused by Fusarium wilt Subtropical Race 4 (STR4). By studying a wild banana species known as Calcutta 4, researchers identified a specific genomic region on chromosome 5 that provides resistance to this deadly fungal infection. While Calcutta 4 itself is not edible, its genetic traits offer valuable insights for developing new banana varieties that are both disease-resistant and commercially viable.
The research, led by Dr. Andrew Chen and Professor Elizabeth Aitken at The University of Queensland, involved crossbreeding Calcutta 4 with susceptible bananas from a different subspecies. After testing the progeny against STR4, the team found that plants inheriting the resistance gene on chromosome 5 were able to withstand the disease. This breakthrough marks the first time scientists have isolated and mapped STR4 resistance in wild bananas.
The findings are particularly significant because STR4 has spread rapidly across subtropical regions, threatening global banana crops. Unlike other strains of Panama disease, STR4 persists in soil long after infecting a crop, making it nearly impossible to eradicate once established. Current efforts to combat the disease involve costly and time-consuming measures like soil fumigation and crop rotation, which are not sustainable in the long term.
Dr. Chen emphasized that while Calcutta 4 is not suitable for commercial cultivation due to its unpalatable fruit, its genetic traits can be leveraged through breeding programs
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/19/2026