January 02, 2026 | Taipei Times |
The Taiwan Banana Research Institute has developed a new banana variety, Tai-Chiao No. 9 (TC9), with strong resistance to Panama disease, a major global threat to banana production. Panama disease, especially the tropical race 4 (TR4) strain, can destroy entire plantations and remain in soil for decades, making it one of the most serious challenges facing the banana industry.
TC9 was developed through long-term collaboration between the institute, Academia Sinica, and National Taiwan University. Researchers discovered that specific chromosomal deletions in Taiwanese bananas significantly enhance resistance to the disease. Using these findings, the institute bred TC9 based on the widely grown Williams variety, achieving at least 70% resistance to Panama disease.
Taiwan has a long history of developing disease-resistant banana varieties, and TC9 builds on earlier successes such as Tai-Chiao No. 4, 5, and 7. The research results have been published internationally, highlighting the role of chromosome structural variation in banana breeding.
Plant breeders’ rights for TC9 have been approved in Taiwan, but international protections must be secured before global distribution. If widely adopted, TC9 could help stabilize banana supplies worldwide and reduce the industry’s vulnerability to Panama disease.
