Advances in Molecular Breeding for Disease Resistance in Banana (Musa Spp): Current Trends and Future Prospects

Özet

Banana (Musa spp.) is a staple crop providing food security and economic benefits to millions globally. However, its production is severely threatened by biotic and abiotic stresses, including Fusarium wilt, Black Sigatoka, Banana Xanthomonas Wilt, and climate-related challenges. Traditional breeding approaches in banana are hindered by long breeding cycles, polyploidy, and sterility in most cultivated varieties, making genetic improvement challenging. Recent advances in molecular breeding, including marker-assisted selection (MAS), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and next-generation sequencing, have revolutionized banana improvement by enabling precise trait selection. The application of genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has further enhanced the development of disease-resistant and biofortified banana varieties, offering sustainable solutions to production constraints. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in gene introgression, regulatory frameworks, and farmer adoption of genetically improved bananas. Future research should focus on refining genome editing techniques, expanding genomic resources, and integrating artificial intelligence in breeding programs to accelerate cultivar development. This review highlights the progress in molecular banana breeding, discusses existing challenges, and explores emerging opportunities for ensuring banana resilience and productivity in the face of evolving environmental and disease pressures.