GM Banana

The most important viral disease of banana is the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV). The "bunched" appearance is due to the stunted growth of the banana leaves and the infected plant usually does not bear fruit. Another disease is the Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBrMV) characterized by inter-veinal discoloration of the leaves. This type of disease is generally considered by banana growers as a nuisance rather than a serious disease problem.

Symptoms of Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)

Source: INIBAP

Coat protein or replicase genes of the virus are incorporated into banana cultivars giving them resistance to the disease.

Banana leaf infected with Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBrMV)

Source: INIBAP

Dr. James Dale of Queensland University of Technology (QUT - http://www.qut.edu.au/) in Australia has successfully incorporated the genes against BBrMV and BBTV into a large number of lines. For more information about these bananas, you can contact Dr. Dale at the following address: Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Science, GP Campus, Room R101; Telephone: (07) 3864-2819 Fax: (07) 3864-5100 Mobile: 0410-520-269; j.dale@qut.edu.au

Related Topics:

• Current banana research
• Delayed Ripening
• Fungal Resistance
• Virus Resistance
• Nematode Resistance
• Banana with Vaccine
• Banana Vaccine Technology

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