Banana genetics

1996/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika

Very few researchers have worried about banana genetics, despite being the essential food of developing countries. However, a group of European scientists has begun to work on it and thanks to a partial genetic map, an independent classification of physiological and agronomic criteria can be made.

When the banana is tilted it has a diploid genetic material (double number of chromosomes). However, the bananas worked have added over time other chromosomes. This characteristic gives a better flavor to the fruit, but it becomes sterile. Therefore, one of the objectives of the research will be to find the diplomatic ancestors of the bananas worked and from there start a genetic improvement.