A genetically modified banana plant which is resistant to a devastating disease has been grown by scientists at Queensland University of Technology.
Professor James Dale, director of the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities based at QUT, said a team of scientists had inserted a single gene into the banana genome to create a resistance to fusarium wilt, or Panama disease.
The gene stops cells dying when they are attacked by the disease, which is prevalent in south east Asia.
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service considers the disease the world's worst for bananas.
There is concern that fusarium wilt may spread into Australia's major banana growing regions.
A field trial is expected to undertaken in North Queensland in December.
