 | Achieving sustainable cultivation of bananas: Volume 2: Germplasm and genetic improvement Bananas are the world's most exported and valuable fruit. However, banana production faces a number of challenges, including a very narrow genetic base for commercial cultivation which leaves the crop highly vulnerable to a range of diseases and other stresses. There is an urgent need to improve existing and develop new varieties which retain key yield and quality characteristics whilst improving resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. The book begins with a discussion of progress in identifying and broadening the genetic base for Musa species. Chapters review ways of classifying banana cultivars, exploiting current collections of germplasm and collecting and evaluating wild Musa species and landraces. Parts 3 and 4 review advances in both conventional and recent molecular breeding techniques and their application in producing improved varieties. Topics include improving fertility and other traits in Cavendish, developing hybrid varieties as well as techniques for genetic improvement. Dr Gert Kema is Professor of Tropical Plant Pathology and Head of the Department of Phytopathology at Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. He leads several international banana research programs, including interdisciplinary research projects and public-private-partnerships focusing on Panama disease and black Sigatoka. He is a co-founder of several spin-off companies focusing on banana improvement, disease management and bioprocessing. Dr André Drent h is Professor in Tropical Plant Pathology and theme leader for crop protection in the Centre for Horticultural Science at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), at the University of Queensland. He leads several projects on tropical plant diseases and he initiated and led a national Banana Plant Protection Programme set up to protect Australia's banana industry from the impact of a range of pests and diseases. |
