Today, half of all bananas, including the ones you probably buy, belong to the Cavendish variety, whose popularity stems in part from having no seeds. But this trait also (removes) sexual reproduction from the equation. The bananas are thus all genetically identical—and identically vulnerable to the two fungal epidemics, Panama disease and black leaf streak disease.

Researchers sequenced the genome of a banana variety called DH-Pahang, whose genes contributed to the Cavendish. While the (genome) shows where this fruit fits in the history of plant evolution, it could also help researchers understand why DH-Pahang, unlike its descendant, is resistant to the funguses behind both Panama and black leaf streak disease.

Knowing the genes responsible for this (resistance) could help breeders create stronger, more resistant bananas. Which has a lot of appeal.