The groundbreaking disease-resistant banana variety, 'Yelloway One'

The mission of the Yelloway initiative is to develop banana varieties that are resistant to the diseases endangering the world's banana supply, while maintaining the familiar look, feel, and shelf life of the beloved Cavendish banana. Yelloway One is the first of its kind—ushering in a new era of banana cultivation.

A Major Milestone in Banana Breeding

Yelloway One is the first edible banana to combine resistance to Fusarium Wilt of Banana (TR4) and Black Leaf Streak Disease (Black Sigatoka), two diseases that have cost the banana industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The success of Yelloway's breeding program in producing a banana variety with natural resistance to these destructive pathogens represents a breakthrough in sustainable banana production.

This development offers long-awaited solution for the banana industry, proving that resistance to TR4 and Black Sigatoka can be achieved through crossbreeding. As the industry battles these challenges, Yelloway One signifies a major step forward in ensuring the future of banana cultivation.

The plants are currently approaching flowering and fruit-bearing stages in greenhouse environments, and will soon undergo field trials in the Philippines and Indonesia—regions severely affected by TR4 and Black Sigatoka. These trials will be a key test in confirming the commercial viability of this new variety.

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