years. More money is thus paid for research into this fungal infection. The companies work with institutes and universities to that end. Eimear Lynch of food safety and sustainability for Fyffes is currently working on the fight against TR4. “It’s true that we’re now putting more time into the research of TR4 than we have in past years. After all, the Board of Fyffes sees a major threat in these diseases, and they’re working to increase the means to protect the sector.” Marc Jackson, also employed by Fyffes, mentions Fyffes’ recent developments in the research. “In 2019, we started listing all of the current studies into banana diseases to decide which study best suits Fyffes for the fight against both TR4 and Black Sigatoka in the long term.”
Carlos Lopez Flores, CEO of Chiquita, also emphasises that TR4 is a major threat to the banana sector. He mentions that more cooperation is needed in the sector to fight the disease. “Fighting TR4 is a long-term process, and it’s very complex. That’s why it’s a threat that can’t be tackled by just one banana producer. It’s important to cooperate regarding this issue. In recent years, Chiquita invested more in their R&D department, but primarily to strengthen the external knowledge of scientific institutes. For example, we also work with the WUR and the KU Leuven. Additionally, we work with the World Banana Forum of the FAO as well. We’ve noticed a lot of research is being done into TR4, but that it is currently fractured rather than coordinated. That could perhaps be done better.” The companies confirm that although investments regarding TR4 have increased, attention was also still paid to Black Sigatoka in recent years, though this fight is more constant. Marc Jackson of Fyffes: “Contrary to TR4, Black Sigatoka can be controlled. Besides, the geographical impact of TR4 also plays a part. After all, the disease hasn’t been spotted in Central America yet, where we’re active. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t consider TR4 a threat. Our measures are focused on protecting our banana plantations, and our workers are trained in bio-safety, which is needed to keep TR4 out.” Xavier Roussel, Vice President of Marketing & Sustainability for Dole: “We’re currently investing additional means in R&D for TR4, particularly investments regarding preventative measures at the grower level. Most of the investments from our own
to export.” Xavier Roussel: “We have a long tradition of working with local and international suppliers, institutes and universities. Together with our scientific department, we’re looking for new technologies and varieties that can improve the productivity and quality of our products. Regarding the fight against TR4, for example, we’re working with the FIHA in Honduras to create new varieties using a traditional cultivation programme.”
Infected banana plant with Black Sigatoka
company, however, are going to combatting the aggressive Black Sigatoka disease. After all, this disease could lead to a loss of production and quality of the bananas in Latin America if we don’t respond adequately and on time. Black Sigatoka, after all, has a current impact while TR4 could have a potential impact. We’re well aware of this potential threat of TR4, and we’re also watchful to contain the disease as much as possible. We try to do so by implementing stricter regulations in visits to the plantations, among other things.” NEW VARIETY A SOLUTION TO THE DISEASE? The banana companies are looking for a solution to these problems, and finding a new variety is one of those solutions. Fyffes mentions they’re not actively working on that. After all, resistance isn’t the only thing a banana should qualify for. Dole and Chiquita don’t exclude this, although Chiquita emphasises that they’re definitely not working with GMOs in bananas. Marc Jackson: “Most of the studies are looking for a replacement for the Cavendish or a genetically modified Cavendish. Other studies focus more on solutions in natural control, soil improvement, plant health, composting and EMs. Fyffes, however, is more interested in studies regarding natural selection and improvement. We’re also interested in certain banana varieties that were recently tested. For us, a new variety has to qualify for more than just resistance, such as flavour, shelf life and the option
Lopez Flores: “In this case, we’re also looking for possible new varieties to replace Cavendish in the long run, and which are resistant to diseases like TR4. We can no longer sit back with only protocols to prevent diseases on our plantations. It’s therefore important to develop multiple varieties. However, I do want to emphasise that we won’t look for a solution in GMOs.”
Gert Kema doesn’t think a new variety will soon present itself as the solution. “When we look at resistant varieties among the 180 existing banana varieties, only 10 to 15 per cent has the desired level of resistance against TR4. We’re not really sure of the numbers yet for Black Sigatoka. However, these are generally varieties that aren’t suitable to replace Cavendish, some of these banana varieties aren’t even edible. The only solution we’ll be looking for is the seed improvement of banana varieties so that they meet all requirements of a banana. We shouldn’t just be looking for only one variety, we should look at multiple varieties with an eye to the future, to make the banana sector less vulnerable to diseases.” Marc Jackson thinks the Cavendish won’t soon disappear as a banana. “The Cavendish will survive, just like the Gros Michel, which is still grown in Central America. A lot depends on where the disease will spread and whether we can take precautions to prevent the disease from spreading.” (TD) pbolijn@chiquita.com elynch@fyffes.com xavier.roussel@dole.com gert.kema@wur.nl
AGF Primeur • Special Edition Fruit Logistica • 2020
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