London: Researchers are `incredibly concerned` for fate of banana as plagues and fungus infections spread across world`s supplies, it has been revealed.
The government in Costa Rica, one of the biggest suppliers of the fruit, has declared a "national emergency" over the state of its crop after its half-a-billion-dollar banana export industry has been hit by two separate plagues of mealybugs and scale insects, the Independent reported.
According to Magda Gonzalez, the director of the agriculture ministry`s State Phytosanitary Services (SFE), climate change had boosted insect populations in recent years, making plagues increasingly likely across the world.
Gonzale told The Tico Times that the insects weaken plants and cause blemishes on fruit, leading to vast batches being rejected.
