Banana producers worldwide are facing increasing challenges from climate change, prompting a need for more resilient crops. However, because bananas do not produce seeds, conventional plant breeding methods cannot be used to improve their genetics. In response, a research team at KU Leuven has developed a new gene-editing technique that modifies banana DNA without adding foreign material—meeting the strict standards of European regulation.
Bananas are the most important fruit crop globally and a dietary staple for over 400 million people in the Global South. Since they are propagated using cuttings or 'suckers,' all plants in a plantation are genetically identical. While this ensures uniformity in appearance and taste, it also makes the crops more vulnerable to disease and extreme weather conditions. Climate change is amplifying these risks.
© KU Leuven - Michael De Lausnay
According to Professor Hervé Vanderschuren, a crop biotechnics expert at KU Leuven, traditional breeding methods used in animals and seed-bearing plants—like selecting for beneficial genetic mutations—do not apply to bananas. "We need to develop new and innovative ways to protect banana crops against the challenges of today and tomorrow," he said.
To meet this need, the KU Leuven Laboratory of Tropical Crop Improvement created a method based on CRISPR gene-editing technology. This technique modifies a single letter in the banana's genetic code without inserting foreign DNA. "The mutation could have occurred naturally, just like in the case of the Belgian Blue cattle," explained Vanderschuren. This approach complies with the main criterion in EU regulations, which prohibit the commercialisation of genetically modified organisms that contain foreign DNA.
While several CRISPR-edited crops like maize, potato, and tomato are nearing commercialization outside of Europe, the European Parliament only voted in favor of CRISPR for crop improvement in 2024. The decision now rests with the European Council, which is reviewing whether the technology can be used for food crops within the EU.
The KU Leuven team is also leveraging its extensive banana collection—home to over 1,700 varieties—to identify genetic traits that could improve resilience, such as disease resistance. "We will compare their genetic codes to identify mutations that may provide certain desirable traits," said Vanderschuren.
This breakthrough offers a safe, precise, and regulation-compliant method for enhancing the sustainability of banana farming while potentially setting a precedent for other sterile tropical crops like cassava and potato.
Picture Credit: KU Leuven, Michael De Lausnay
For more information:
Sigrid Somers
KU Leuven
Tel: +32 16 32 40 15
Email: sigrid.somers@kuleuven.be
www.nieuws.kuleuven.be