Olomouc Researchers Involved in Decoding the Banana Genome

Palacký University researchers have significantly contributed to the decoding of the complete genetic information of the banana, a staple crop for hundreds of millions of people living in the tropics. The findings of the genome analysis will now help in understanding of the evolution of plants, and will also result in more targeted and more effective cultivation of this tropical plant in terms of increasing crop yields and improving resilience.

‘Our findings will also make revealing the changes in the genetic information accompanying the development of the varieties of the banana possible. Some of the sequences described by us are suitable as genetic markers for more detailed study of chromosomes, and additionally the search for agriculturally relevant genes,’ says Prof. Jaroslav Doležel, Scientific Director of the Centre for the Haná Region for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research at Palacký University and a member of the Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. To date, scientists have managed to decode 523 million ‘letters’ of the genetic information coded in the DNA of 11 chromosomes. Subsequently, they found almost 37,000 possible genes in the genome, some of which are responsible for the plant’s ripening, others for resilience to fungal diseases.

The banana tree is the fourth most important plant in the world, and one of the key crops in tropical countries. It is not only a staple food for local inhabitants, but also a significant export product. Cultivated bananas do not reproduce by seeds but propagate asexually from offshoots, which makes their cultivation very complicated. In addition, pests and diseases – primarily fungal – represent another threat to their cultivation. ‘In order to suppress plant diseases at large plantations, the multinational concerns apply massive spraying of fungicides. Small farmers, however, are vitally threatened by the spreading of new diseases. This is why cultivation focusses on discovering new varieties similar in taste, colour, and texture to those at present. The difference being – they are resilient,’ adds Prof. Doležel, a laureate of the prestigious Premium Academiae. 

One of the collaborators in the project has been Dr. Eva Hřibová from the Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, and the Centre for Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research. The findings were recently published in the scientific journal Nature and the research was conducted in cooperation with scientists from Australia, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

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