Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa

ABSTRACT Banana (Musa spp.) is a staple food and income generation crop, feeding millions worldwide. However, the cultivation of bananas is challenging due to biotic and abiotic production constraints. Among these factors are pests and diseases, especially banana bacterial disease. Banana Xanthomona...

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Main Authors: Anastasie Musabyemungu, Jaindra Nath Tripathi, Samwel K. Muiruri, Svetlana V. Gaidashova, Placide Rukundo, Leena Tripathi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Food and Energy Security
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.70048
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author Anastasie Musabyemungu
Jaindra Nath Tripathi
Samwel K. Muiruri
Svetlana V. Gaidashova
Placide Rukundo
Leena Tripathi
author_facet Anastasie Musabyemungu
Jaindra Nath Tripathi
Samwel K. Muiruri
Svetlana V. Gaidashova
Placide Rukundo
Leena Tripathi
author_sort Anastasie Musabyemungu
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Banana (Musa spp.) is a staple food and income generation crop, feeding millions worldwide. However, the cultivation of bananas is challenging due to biotic and abiotic production constraints. Among these factors are pests and diseases, especially banana bacterial disease. Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum (Xcm), has the most significant detrimental economic effect on East African banana production. The infection of BXW is rapid and severe; its impact increases over time and causes huge banana yield losses. The Xcm infects and causes disease in all types of bananas except the wild diploid type Musa balbisiana, which is resistant boosting plant immunity for controlling Xcm and other diseases in bananas. Resistant cultivars are the best promising management option for controlling Xcm and other diseases in bananas. All the cultivated bananas are sterile, and have a long generation cycle, which complicates their improvement through conventional breeding. Biotechnological approaches to banana improvement can complement conventional breeding by overcoming some of its challenges. Additionally, genetic engineering could speed up the process of crop improvement, especially for sterile seedless crops like bananas. It is also specific to the target gene and precise modification that avoids unwanted genes in the normal breeding process. Recent developments using genetic engineering and genome editing on bananas have been initiated to tackle these issues. This review article focuses on the challenges of traditional breeding and the progress of genetic engineering and genome editing approaches, aiming to enhance understanding of achieving an essential genetic gain of bananas against the BXW. This understanding is crucial for enhancing food security in East Africa and globally.
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spelling doaj-art-2dd72fa0f4534a3c82c553823357c5d72025-08-20T03:10:56ZengWileyFood and Energy Security2048-36942025-01-01141n/an/a10.1002/fes3.70048Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East AfricaAnastasie Musabyemungu0Jaindra Nath Tripathi1Samwel K. Muiruri2Svetlana V. Gaidashova3Placide Rukundo4Leena Tripathi5International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Nairobi KenyaInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture Nairobi KenyaInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture Nairobi KenyaRwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board Kigali RwandaRwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board Kigali RwandaInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture Nairobi KenyaABSTRACT Banana (Musa spp.) is a staple food and income generation crop, feeding millions worldwide. However, the cultivation of bananas is challenging due to biotic and abiotic production constraints. Among these factors are pests and diseases, especially banana bacterial disease. Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum (Xcm), has the most significant detrimental economic effect on East African banana production. The infection of BXW is rapid and severe; its impact increases over time and causes huge banana yield losses. The Xcm infects and causes disease in all types of bananas except the wild diploid type Musa balbisiana, which is resistant boosting plant immunity for controlling Xcm and other diseases in bananas. Resistant cultivars are the best promising management option for controlling Xcm and other diseases in bananas. All the cultivated bananas are sterile, and have a long generation cycle, which complicates their improvement through conventional breeding. Biotechnological approaches to banana improvement can complement conventional breeding by overcoming some of its challenges. Additionally, genetic engineering could speed up the process of crop improvement, especially for sterile seedless crops like bananas. It is also specific to the target gene and precise modification that avoids unwanted genes in the normal breeding process. Recent developments using genetic engineering and genome editing on bananas have been initiated to tackle these issues. This review article focuses on the challenges of traditional breeding and the progress of genetic engineering and genome editing approaches, aiming to enhance understanding of achieving an essential genetic gain of bananas against the BXW. This understanding is crucial for enhancing food security in East Africa and globally.https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.70048Bananagenetic transformationgenome editingMusa spp.precision geneticsXanthomonas wilt
spellingShingle Anastasie Musabyemungu
Jaindra Nath Tripathi
Samwel K. Muiruri
Svetlana V. Gaidashova
Placide Rukundo
Leena Tripathi
Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa
Food and Energy Security
Banana
genetic transformation
genome editing
Musa spp.
precision genetics
Xanthomonas wilt
title Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa
title_full Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa
title_fullStr Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa
title_full_unstemmed Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa
title_short Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa
title_sort genetic improvement of banana for resistance to xanthomonas wilt in east africa
topic Banana
genetic transformation
genome editing
Musa spp.
precision genetics
Xanthomonas wilt
url https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.70048
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