New biotechnology promising approaches for disease control on bananas and plantains

Abstract

Bananas and plantain are very important cash crops and staple food worldwide. Many diseases, especially the ones caused by fungi, are the main threat for a sustainable production of the fruits. So far, conventional disease control is performed mainly by extensive fungicide applications, threatening occupational health, and the environment. In most banana-producing countries, fungicide applications accumulate over 50 applications per year in conducive environments, placing pathogens under a strong selective pressure and favoring the appearance of fungicide-resistant strains. In some cases, emerging diseases like TR4 have no known treatment threatening the whole banana industry. In view of the above, it is necessary to search for new alternatives for disease control and crop management. New biotechnology pest control methods such as RNAi technologies, biomolecules, and nanoparticles arise as promising applications for environmentally friendly disease controls. Furthermore, Banana's genetic improvement through new breeding techniques could improve the sustainability of the banana and plantain production. The development and application of these technologies to improve banana and plantain management will reduce the need for fungicide applications and decreasing their negative health and environmental effects in the population and ecosystems surrounding farms.