What would our world look like without bananas? Maybe a little less yellow and a little less sweet. I never thought much about bananas until I learned they were on borrowed time. The world's most popular banana, the Cavendish banana, is a threatened clonal monoculture crop that could vanish within our lifetime.
A monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop in one area, usually over a long period of time. Imagine 12,000 acres of banana plants. That's a lot of banana plants, right? That is the reality for the Cavendish banana, the banana variety that you would most likely find in grocery stores, hotel lobbies, school cafeterias, and your own kitchen. Not only are Cavendish bananas farmed in a monoculture, they are also all genetically identical to each other. This abundance of a single species and lack of genetic diversity makes them incredibly susceptible to disease.
The majority of bananas consumed in America are imported from Guatemala, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.
Panama disease, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, is spreading rapidly through the soil and water of plantations and threatening the world of bananas as we know it. A few banana varieties show resistance to this disease, but none are suitable to replace the Cavendish banana. There is no treatment for infected plants. This is not good news for the beloved Cavendish banana.
Banana plantations are far from unique when it comes to the agricultural practice of monoculture. This method of farming is a dominant practice in the United States that feeds us and livestock. Other monocultures include fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat. Much of the food on our tables comes from monoculture farms, so in many ways this style of farming is great! Monocultures produce high yields of a single crop due to their streamlined and efficient farming methods. Though this practice is essential to our food system, there are significant drawbacks for the environment. One such drawback is a loss of biodiversity. Diverse ecosystems are more resilient to disturbances and offer a wide variety of ecosystem services that benefit us all. When a landscape is turned into monoculture farmland, the habitat availability for plants and animals is greatly reduced, leading to a degraded ecosystem. Soil health also takes a hit. Whole-field harvests and tilling leave soil exposed and cause runoff, where fallen rain carries precious soil away from fields and into waterways. This means that the chemicals intended for the farm, such as pesticides and fertilizer, end up in nearby soil and water. Growing the same crop season after season depletes the already-eroded soil of specific nutrients, which can lead to reduced yields and increased susceptibility to disease. Which brings us back to bananas.
Many familiar crops, such as corn, are frequently grown as monocultures.
Now you may be thinking, “So, what can I do? That all sounds pretty bleak.” One way you can support the work of sustainable agriculture is by donating to agricultural research initiatives. At home, consider growing a variety of plants in your own backyard to support biodiversity and soil health. You can grow diverse plants in pots on your deck, or transition your monoculture lawn into native grasses and wildflowers to support a variety of local species. The more diverse an ecosystem is, the more resilient and healthy it becomes. I, for one, think diverse natural spaces are way more fun to look at!
While the future of the Cavendish banana may seem uncertain, researchers around the world are working to develop disease-resistant varieties that could help secure the future of our favorite yellow fruit. In the meantime, enjoy Cavendish bananas while they’re still around.
Tessa Magner is a naturalist at Walking Mountains. Her job is to educate the public about the importance of nature while inspiring curiosity and stewardship. She leads hikes, guided walks, and early childhood programs.
