TR-4 fungus threatening bananas worldwide may have met its match: genetic altering

Banana market faces great change as monoculture threatens extinction of West’s most popular variety

A company in the United States is developing a fungus-proof, genetically engineered banana that will be resistant to a deadly disease threatening to destroy most of the world’s banana crops.  TR-4, also known as Fusarium Oxysporum, is a fungus that attacks the roots of banana trees and is resistant to fungicides and other chemicals. The fungus […]

Sellout gathering descends on Global Cherry Summit in Chile, with China taking centre stage

Chile became the epicenter of the world cherry industry Thursday with more than 1,400 attendees and 80 sector businesses gathered at the Monticello Events Center in Santiago to celebrate the 5th edition of the Global Cherry Summit. A large delegation from China, including the Chinese ambassador in Chile, Niu Qingbao, attended the event, organized by Yentzen […]

Fast-working bees could help cherries get to supermarket displays earlier this year

Cherry season is forecasted to arrive early in the UK and the sight of bountiful cherry blossom trees at family-owned Kent Little Sharsted Farm provides visual confirmation.  This year, the UK cherry season has seen an early blossom due to favorable weather conditions. The fruit is expected to hit supermarket shelves as early as the […]