Bananas are famously a tropical fruit, only growing in warm regions of the world. However, a group of scientists in the Netherlands have just harvested their first crop, and it could help save banana plantations around the world.
Fusarium (fyoo-SAIR-ee-um) is a fungus that has infected banana crops worldwide. It blocks water transport to the leaves, which causes the whole plant to wilt and die. The fungus lives in the soil, and cannot be removed, making infected farms useless for years.
To prevent this happening, the scientists have grown their bananas in a greenhouse without soil. Instead they used two materials called coco peat and stone wool. These provided the support needed by the roots for the plants to grow. After adding nutrients and water, they were able to harvest healthy bananas.
Bananas are the most-eaten fruit in the world, feeding over 400 million people worldwide. This method could help protect them against Fusarium wilt, benefitting growers and eaters alike.
Lachlan Writes Science 