Viability of bananas (WAS: questions for Elchanan) [s]

April 25, 2005

rawfood , " INFO @ Vibrant Life " <VLinfo@e...> wrote:

Hi Elchanan, I'm assuming this is a reply to me (my name is Alex, not Chase) so

I will

answer If for some reason this was directed at another group member, my

apologies.

> capacity have been cut off. But this hybridization is a recent event, and I

> am also aware of no natural threat to the banana family that presently seems

> to require any such adaptation. So while you are correct, I am not sure how

> to use or apply what you have shared. Perhaps you would be kind enough to

> elaborate further???

The " Panama disease " is currently wiping out Cavendish crops, as is black

sigatoka to a

lesser extent (both are fungal diseases). A few years ago this prompted a few

scientists to

claim (incorrectly) that bananas are on the verge of extinction. Though the

Cavendish is in

danger, the viable, seeded, and genetically stronger banana varieties are not

threatened

because they are able to form resistance against the fungi. So we will most

likely always

have SOME bananas available But the most hybridized, non reproductive types

are at

risk because of their reliance on humans and inability to form more resistant

genes. Here

are some articles explaining things further.

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