Can Gamma Rays Help Save the World’s Favourite Fruit?

Bananas are making headlines these days, as the world’s most widely cultivated variety – the Cavendish – is increasingly falling prey to a new strain of a deadly fungus, endangering its very existence. In a race against time, experts from nine institutes across the globe met at the IAEA in Vienna last week to step up research on plant breeding methods, including with the use of nuclear techniques, to develop plants that are resistant to this new strain of Panama disease, helping secure the livelihoods – and nutritional intake – of millions. ….