Complementation of bananas conventional breeding programs through biotechnological genetic improvement

Abstract

Bananas (Musa spp.) are among the world's most important crops. In terms of gross value of production, they are the fourth most important global food crop. Hence, bananas and plantains are important for food security in developing countries where they form an integral component of the farming systems. However, due to the prevailing low yields attributed principally to diseases including black leaf streak (caused by Pseudocercospora fijiensis) and Fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, different races), and stress from climatic conditions, it is necessary to complement classic breeding with biotechnology induced in vitro mutation breeding by using gamma irradiation and genetic transformation. These techniques aim to increase productivity and to improve the resilience of the crop to climatic change. Conventional breeding has had a dramatic impact, and as a result, several Pseudocercospora fijiensis-resistant cultivars have been released. Mutation induction resulting by the induced mutation through gamma ray irradiation is an alternative technique in developing/generating bananas with improved traits. Furthermore, genetic transformation is an alternative for crop improvement with several advantages over other methods; however, biosafety regulations may hinder the application in several countries. The induced mutation and genetic transformation techniques are very useful for banana improvement.