The world’s most popular banana is now at risk of disappearing

Colombia has declared a national emergency after a destructive fungus was found in the soil that could ultimately wipe out most large banana farms, leading to major shortages. The fungus is a strain of fusarium oxysporum called Tropical Race 4 (TR4) that was first discovered in Taiwan. Before making its way to Colombia, TR4 had already destroyed crops in Australia, Israel, India, and Lebanon over the last two decades.  The soil-dwelling fungus causes a lethal disease called Panama disease that infects the roots of bananas and blocks …