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I agree completely that the wild bananas have seeds. But do domesticated ones even have the structures to pollinate? In any case, with modern tech. we could pr
by hydrogen18 11y ago
I agree completely that the wild bananas have seeds. But do domesticated ones even have the structures to pollinate?
In any case, with modern tech. we could probably redomesticate bananas in a few years. I'm less bothered by the food implications of bananas dying off than the economic ones. Bananas are big business for some equatorial countries. An upset in the economy usually precedes an upset in the government.
- nkurz 11y agoBut do domesticated ones even have the structures to pollinate? Yes, the seeds in Cavendish bananas are rare but viable. There was a Canadian documentary a few years ago that featured a Honduran banana breeder: http://modernfarmer.com/2015/05/review-the-fruit-hunters/ http://modernfarmer.com/2015/05/review-the-fruit-hunters/ And here's a recent PBS segment that covers just banana breeding: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/inside-the-fight-to-save-the-bananas-we-know-and-love/ http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/inside-the-fight-to-save-the-...
- hydrogen18 11y agoThat is interesting. If I find a Cavendish with seeds and I plant them, do the fruits of that plant also have seeds?