musa Archives - IITA News

IITA banana research paper in Wiley’s Plant Pathology journal among the most downloaded

A paper published by a team led by scientists from IITA was among the top 10% most downloaded of all papers published between January 2018 and December 2019 in Wiley’s Plant Pathology journal. The research team received the news in a congratulatory message and an online certificate from the Journal. Part of the message stated:…

Scientists successfully use gene-editing technology to develop first-ever plantain resistant to banana virus streak

A team of scientists have announced a major breakthrough in their efforts to develop improved banana and plantain varieties that are resistant to banana streak virus (BSV), one of the diseases hampering the crop’s production in Africa and threatening the food and income of millions of farmers. The team successfully used CRISPR, a powerful technology…

Picture of The three stages of a weevil found in a NARO banana trial field

Lack of biocontrol regulations hinders safe and effective management of Musa pests and diseases

A major thrust to develop and deploy safe and effective biological control methods to manage and reduce crop damage from pests and diseases in banana and enset is under way through MUSA2020, an EU-supported project.