Unveiling the potential of banana ( Musa spp.) improvement through genetic manipulation: current trends and future implications

Banana (Musa spp.) is a globally important fruit crop and a staple food for millions of people. However, its narrow genetic diversity and clonal propagation make it highly vulnerable to pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses. Genetic improvement is limited by sterility, and triploid plants are reproduced clonally in most cultivated varieties, preventing traditional breeding based on genetic advancements. Transgenesis and gene editing are among the genetic engineering techniques used to increase yield, improve quality, and enhance resilience. Advances in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and CRISPR/Cas tools have enabled the development of bananas with enhanced resistance to Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4), Black Sigatoka, and bacterial wilt, along with increased provitamin A content, longer shelf life, and reduced postharvest losses. DNA-free genome editing provides a promising approach to overcoming certain regulatory barriers and enhancing public acceptance. While challenges such as genotype-specific transformation efficiency, regulatory hurdles, and public perception persist, genetic manipulation holds the potential to both preserve and improve global banana production. This review synthesizes recent progress, key targets, and future prospects for the genetic improvement of banana.