Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World

Science News, Jan 12, 2008

BANANA: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World

DAN KOEPPEL

Did Eve tempt Adam by proffering not an apple but a banana? Why is banana republic much more than a colorful synonym for certain Central American nations? Koeppel presents a concise yet comprehensive account of America's favorite fruit snack. In a volume that combines history and science, he describes the banana's origins and cultural lore that surrounds the fruit. Some of the science is surprising: The banana "tree" is actually the world's largest herb, and the fruit itself is a giant berry. Some of the science is alarming. The banana is a seedless fruit. It is grown by cloning, meaning that every banana is a genetic twin of every other. This makes the fruit easy to breed and transport, but it also makes the plants susceptible to disease. And today a fungal infection called Panama disease is ravaging banana crops on several continents. The future of the fruit may well lie in the lab, as plant scientists and geneticists strive to create a hardy, yet tasty strain. Hudson Street Press, 2008, 281 p., b&w illustrations, $23.95.

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