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Chiquita Brands – in collaboration with KeyGene, MusaRadix and Wageningen University and Research – has unveiled a new banana hybrid named 'Yelloway One'.

This variety is engineered to resist Tropical Race 4 (TR4) and show partial resistance to Black Sigatoka, two fungal diseases that pose severe threats to global banana production.

The introduction of Yelloway One marks a pivotal moment in banana cultivation, as it is the first edible banana to successfully combine resistance to both Fusarium Wilt (TR4) and Black Leaf Streak Disease (Black Sigatoka).

These diseases have inflicted substantial economic losses on the banana sector, costing the industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

The development of Yelloway One is seen as a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture, providing a potential solution to the ongoing challenges faced by banana growers worldwide.

Currently, the plants are nearing flowering and fruit-bearing stages in controlled greenhouse environments. Field trials are set to begin in the Philippines and Indonesia, regions particularly hard-hit by TR4 and Black Sigatoka.

These trials will be critical in assessing the commercial viability of Yelloway One and its potential to thrive in real-world conditions.

The Yelloway initiative, launched in 2020, seeks to leverage advanced scientific research and breeding technologies to create banana varieties resilient to both diseases and environmental pressures.

By integrating traditional crossbreeding methods with cutting-edge DNA sequencing and genetic analysis, the partnership aims to accelerate the development of new banana varieties that meet sustainability and quality standards.

Fernando García-Bastidas of KeyGene, who leads the research team, 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.”

Gert Kema from Wageningen University noted that developing new, disease-resistant varieties is crucial not only for the banana industry's survival but also for supporting smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

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