Banana appeal: Australia’s first genetically modified fruit sent for approval

James Dale, second right, at a Northern Territory site trialling growth of a genetically modified banana known as QCAV-4. With him are, from left, Jean-Yves Paul, Maiko Kato and farm manager Mark Smith. Photograph: Anthony Weate/Queensland University of Technology

Scientists have submitted Australia’s first genetically modified fruit – a Cavendish banana – to regulators for approval, saying it has been engineered to withstand a deadly fungus that poses a threat to banana growers worldwide.

The banana, known as QCAV-4, has been genetically modified to resist a fungus known as Panama disease tropical race 4 (TR4), which is threatening the multibillion-dollar Cavendish industry globally.