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Banana disease could be on the verge of extinction if a devastating tropical disease spreads across crops worldwide,
Known as Panama disease, fungal infection s & # 39 is already widespread in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Central America
But if the infection reaches South America, the Cavendish banana – the most-sold and consumed species in the world – could be threatened with extinction.
Cavendish bananas are genetically identical, allowing Panama disease to decimate rapidly
About five billion Cavendish bananas are consumed annually in the United Kingdom
(Image: Gallo Images)
But salvation for banana crops could take the form of a rare Malagasy tree, which grows a banana species wild and inedible that is immune to Panama disease.
Biologists rush to create a hybrid of the two banana species in hopes of creating an infection-resistant strain. But there are only five Malagasy banana trees.
The disease does not affect the fruit itself, but quickly kills Cavendish banana trees.
(Image: Getty Images)
Cavendish bananas were named after the family of the house where they were grown – Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
Steve Porter, chief gardener of the estate, said: We hope the work done by scientists around the world to find a cure for the disease that threatens Cavendish banana will be successful. "
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