Genetic Engineering of Banana Against Bacterial Diseases

Mark Ochieng Adero,Easter David Syombua,Richard Oduor

doi:10.11648/j.jps.20210905.13

Abstract

Banana (Musa spp) is among the top ten most important food crops worldwide in terms of production and consumption. However, banana production is threatened by several bacterial diseases, including Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pathovar (pv). musacearum, Moko disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, and Blood disease caused by Ralstonia syzygii sub-species (subsp). Celebesensis. Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) is the most economically important bacterial disease affecting banana production, particularly in the African Great Lakes region. Banana breeding through conventional approach is key to overcoming yield losses to bacterial phytopathogens. However, conventional breeding of bananas is limited by low male and female fertility and the lack of diversity and important traits in the gene pool. At present, only Musa balbisiana (banana progenitor species) is resistant to BXW, but breeders do not prefer it for breeding because it harbors banana streak virus (BSV) sequences in its B genome, which get activated during abiotic stress, such as drought, leading Banana Streak Disease (BSD). Thus, genetic engineering serves as a viable alternative and complement to conventional breeding for banana improvement. This review highlights the strategies, challenges, status, and prospects of genetic engineering of bananas against bacterial diseases.

Highlights

Banana (Musa spp) is an herbaceous, perennial staple crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries
There are three bacterial diseases of economic importance globally: Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pathovar. musacearum, Moko disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, and Blood disease caused by Ralstonia syzygii sub-species
Radopholus similis and Pratylenchus coffeae, and insect pests, especially weevils are constant threats to banana production, though they are of minor economic importance [7]

Summary

Introduction

Banana (Musa spp) is an herbaceous, perennial staple crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries. It belongs to the family Musaceae and genus Musa. Bacterial diseases pose a serious threat to banana production worldwide. There are three bacterial diseases of economic importance globally: Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pathovar (pv). Radopholus similis and Pratylenchus coffeae, and insect pests, especially weevils (cosmopolites sordidus) are constant threats to banana production, though they are of minor economic importance [7]. Conventional banana breeding is challenging because the crop is clonally propagated and has limited genetic diversity in its gene pool. We summarize the challenges, status, and prospects of genetic engineering of bananas against bacterial diseases

Strategies and Challenges of Genetic Transformation of Banana

Status of Genetic Engineering of Bananas Against Bacterial Diseases

Genome Editing of Banana Against Bacterial Diseases

Potential Target Genes for Engineering Bananas Against Bacterial Diseases

Findings

Conclusions and Recommendations