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Chinese province honors senior scientist for work to combat banana disease
The Chairman of Guangdong Committee of Chinese People’s Consultative Conference, Mr Huang Longyung, presents the award to Dr Molina. Photo: GDAAS
Dr Agustin B. Molina, Senior Scientist and Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific at Bioversity International, has received an award from one of the largest banana-producing regions of China.
Molina was honored with a Guangdong International Friendship Award from Guangdong Province on 27 November for his work and partnership in helping to combat banana disease, an important crop for this region.
“I am quite honoured with the award because it comes from our partners who are forging a path in creating impact for smallholder farmers,” Molina said.
Guangdong Province is one of the biggest provinces of China, and the main centre for banana production for China. China is the second largest banana producer in the world after India (FAOSTAT 2010).
Although the world’s banana production has been sluggish in recent years, the production and sale of banana have been thriving in China. Banana production provides employment to nearly 1 million people according to the Chinese Bureau of Statistics (2008). Of the total domestic demand for banana in China, 90% comes from local produce while the other 10% are imported.
Yet diseases are threatening this major world crop, which originated in Asia, Molina said.
“Asia is the center of diversity of banana, but it is where we also find many pests and diseases afflicting the crop. In addition, climate change is affecting the dynamics of pests and disease problems as well as the profile and use of genetic diversity of bananas,” he said.
The award was given in recognition of Molina’s contribution to China’s banana industry especially in mitigating the spread and damage of the dreaded Fusarium wilt disease (Foc). The banana industry in China is facing a destructive threat from Fusarium wilt, particularly the most virulent Tropical Race 4 (TR4). About 90% of banana cultivars grown in China are susceptible to Foc. To date, there are no cost-effective methods (including soil amendment, biological or chemical methods, etc.) to manage the disease. Growing resistant cultivar is the most desirable management approach, but the rate by which resistant varieties are bred is much slower than the speed of Foc evolution.
Dr Molina in field discussions with researchers and growers on banana production practices in China. Photo: GDAAS
Since 2001, Molina has been working with the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences through the Banana Asia Pacific Network, which he coordinates at Bioversity International.
Over the past decade, research activities have focused on germplasm resource collections, innovative application, selection and evaluation of improved cultivar production technologies, and also on related research technical extension and industry development.
“Bioversity International has a unique role in strengthening banana R&D. We created the network bringing people together and build capacity. We work with and through partners so we know the research priorities of these countries, and we develop collaborative projects that address these priorities,” Molina said.
To address the imminent problem of Fusarium wilt TR4, Molina worked with Chinese researchers at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GDAAS) in introducing banana varieties from the Bioversity-managed genebank in Leuven, Belgium. These varieties were used in the breeding programme of GDAAS, some of which were improved through somaclonal-variant selection techniques. Molina provided technical guidance to help select several varieties that are now being used by farmers in fields affected by TR4. GDAAS is now investing significant resources to fully achieve efficiency and sustainability of banana production in the face of biotic and abiotic challenges.
“With the effective coordination and enormous support by Dr Molina, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences has been bringing in good research results for the advancement of banana research and development. Undoubtedly, the partnership enhanced not only the academic performance of the institute but equally the R&D activities which has been contributing greatly to China’s banana industry,” said Dr Yi Ganjun, Vice President of the academy.
Molina’s work in banana research goes back more than two decades. “This is the kind of work we are doing around the world, though each area faces different challenges. While my work is focused in Asia our research outputs and experiences could be of value in Africa and Latin America as every region is fighting banana diseases as well.”
For more information:
Dr Molina leads Bioversity International’s banana research efforts in the Asia Pacific region through the Banana Asia-Pacific Network (BAPNET).
 | Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR consortium |
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This work by Bioversity International is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. |
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