Could a Fungal Disease Cause Bananas to Go EXTINCT? Here’s What Could Happen!

Do you love bananas?

Bananas

We won’t lie: we still occasionally want those frozen bananas dipped in chocolate you can still find around the Disney Parks. We also won’t turn down a delicious Banana Split. Plus, Banana Pudding IS LIFE. But there could come a time when we won’t be able to enjoy ANY of these things. Why? Because bananas could go extinct. Say what?

According to local NBC News affiliate WBAL TV, a fungal disease could wipe out the most popular type of banana forever. The disease is called Panama Disease and infects the roots of banana trees and then prevents the tree from being able to absorb water, essentially killing it. The disease can survive in soil for decades, even without a host, spreading itself over long distances in soil, equipment, and infected plants. Yikes!

Banana pudding

Something similar almost wiped out bananas for good in the 1930s, so obviously, folks are worried. The good news is that it won’t kill every single banana tree overnight, but we only have about 10 years to figure out how to save bananas. Scientists are working on creating a genetically modified banana that would be resistant to the disease. Attempts are also being made to use grafting and natural selection to make banana trees more resistant to the disease.

Banana beignets

So we shouldn’t panic just yet, but we probably should enjoy our favorite banana snacks while we know bananas are still available. Scientists seem certain that a solution will save bananas, but hey, you never know, right? Hopefully, this is resolved before banana shortages, but we’re not taking any chances — we’re going to go bake some banana bread right now… you know, just in case.

Banana Bread

We’ll keep an eye out for more banana news, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

RECIPE: You Can Make the Peanut Butter Banana Torte from Disney’s California Grill — Here’s How!

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What’s your favorite banana snack? Let us know in the comments!