Study unveils Cas-CLOVER as a highly efficient genome editing technology in banana

In a landmark development for agricultural biotechnology, a pioneering study conducted by the Biotechnology team at IITA–CGIAR, in collaboration with Demeetra AgBio Inc., has unveiled Cas-CLOVER as a novel, precise and highly efficient genome editing tool for banana. The findings of this study promise to revolutionize banana cultivation by addressing critical challenges faced in traditional breeding.

Despite being a staple in the diets of millions worldwide, banana has long been plagued by various hurdles in their genetic improvement. These include issues like low genetic variability in germplasm, polyploidy, protracted production cycles, and the sterility of many cultivars. Genome editing has emerged as a transformative technique to combat these obstacles and develop improved banana varieties with enhanced disease resistance and increased yield potential.