Chiquita announces ‘major milestone’ in banana breeding
Yelloway One is the first edible banana to combine resistance to Fusarium Wilt of Banana (TR4) and Black Leaf Streak Disease (Black Sigatoka), two diseases that have cost the banana industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
The banana hybrid is the result of a partnership with KeyGene, MusaRadix and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and a result of the Yelloway initiative, which aims to develop banana varieties that are resistant to the diseases endangering the world’s banana supply, while maintaining the familiar look, feel, and shelf life of the Cavendish banana.
Chiquita said the development offers long-awaited solution for the banana industry, proving that resistance to TR4 and Black Sigatoka can be achieved through crossbreeding. As the industry battles these challenges, Yelloway One signifies a major step forward in ensuring the future of banana cultivation, it said.
The plants are currently approaching flowering and fruit-bearing stages in greenhouse environments, and will soon undergo field trials in the Philippines and Indonesia—regions severely affected by TR4 and Black Sigatoka. These trials will be a key test in confirming the commercial viability of this new variety.
Launched in 2020, Yelloway combines cutting-edge scientific research with advanced breeding technologies to create banana varieties resilient to both disease and environmental pressures.
The platform blends traditional crossbreeding with advanced DNA sequencing and genetic analysis, allowing for rapid identification of desirable traits. By leveraging a vast collection of banana species, Yelloway is producing test hybrids that meet the highest standards of sustainability and quality.
Advances in banana genetics
Yelloway One is the result of three years of intensive research and collaboration, led by Dr. Fernando García-Bastidas of KeyGene.
The partnership’s use of data-driven innovation has ‘dramatically’ shortened the traditional breeding timeline, allowing for quicker and more effective results, he said. “Each obstacle we overcame represented a significant milestone. From the initial greenhouse trials in the Netherlands to the creation of Yelloway One, we have proven that our approach works, and we are excited to continue delivering innovative banana varieties in the years to come.”
A sustainable future for banana production?
Professor Gert Kema from Wageningen University said that the development of new, disease-resistant varieties was essential not only for the survival of the banana industry but also for supporting smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
“By fostering greater biodiversity in banana cultivation, Yelloway One and future varieties will offer improved resilience and economic opportunities for banana growers worldwide. The innovation behind Yelloway One will also benefit public initiatives, as the intellectual property developed through this project will be made available for the creation of non-export varieties with enhanced disease resistance.”
