[Fungi]

Back in the 1950s, the most popular banana cultivar, called the Gros Michel, was wiped out by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, f. sp.cubense . Apparently, this banana was much tastier but when it was wiped out, growers were forced to use the now-standard (and blander) Cavendish variety. Researchers are trying to breed a new resistant Gros Michel to replace the Cavendish if it does get wiped out.

[Larry Lucido]

I prefer Bananco, but Gorilla's Choice is also a good brand.

[Pelham]

The Cavendish banana cultivar that we now have is itself threatened with destruction:

https://tinyurl.com/4kbx2dv2

“Unfortunately, the disease that causes fusarium wilt has mutated and now the Cavendish crop is no longer immune. It too is being decimated by fungal disease.

‘This fungus is a complete nightmare,’ said Dr Aurelio Ciancio, from the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection at the National Research Council of Italy in Bari.

‘Producers are worried because it’s spreading quickly around the world,’ he said.

Ciancio is the coordinator of the MUSA research project. ‘Traditional control measures are limited and this fungus is clearly capable of killing plants at speed,’ he said.

Funded by the EU and working with partners from Europe, Africa and Latin America, MUSA spent four years investigating the use of bio-controls, or natural agents in plant defence.

Banana bugbear

The banana’s bugbear is dubbed Tropical Race 4 (TR4) also known as Panama 4. First identified in Taiwan in 1990, the mould causes fusarium wilt in the Cavendish cultivar. Entering through the roots, it chokes off the plant’s energy supply, killing it from within.

[Tired of Taxes]

this banana was much tastier but when it was wiped out, growers were forced to use the now-standard (and blander) Cavendish variety.

A Hawaiian once told me about "ice cream bananas" that grow in HI. People pick them off the trees and eat them. They also might be known as blue java bananas. Wish they were grown and sold in the Continental U.S.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

Back in the 1950s, the most popular banana cultivar, called the Gros Michel

"Big Mike" banana? No thanks.......