# Panama disease

By [rache168](https://paragraph.com/@rache168) · 2021-10-29

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[Panama disease](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_disease) is caused by a [fusarium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusarium) soil [fungus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus) (Race 1), which enters the plants through the roots and travels with water into the trunk and leaves, producing [gels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gel) and gums that cut off the flow of water and nutrients, causing the plant to [wilt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilting), and exposing the rest of the plant to lethal amounts of sunlight. Prior to 1960, almost all commercial banana production centered on "Gros Michel", which was highly susceptible.[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana#cite_note-Bark08-99) Cavendish was chosen as the replacement for Gros Michel because, among resistant cultivars, it produces the highest quality [fruit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit). However, more care is required for shipping the Cavendish,[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana#cite_note-100) and its quality compared to Gros Michel is debated.[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana#cite_note-Lessard-101)

According to current sources, a deadly form of Panama disease is infecting Cavendish. All plants are genetically identical, which prevents evolution of disease resistance. Researchers are examining hundreds of wild varieties for resistance.

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*Originally published on [rache168](https://paragraph.com/@rache168/panama-disease)*