Gros Michel

Gros Michel, or 'Big Mike', was an early export cultivar of banana which was wiped out in the 1950s by Panama disease, a fungus which attacks the roots of the banana plant. Although there are many banana cultivars, Gros Michel was especially suitable for export to non-tropical nations. Following its susceptability to Panama Disease, the Vietnamese Cavendish banana, which was resistant to the disease, was chosen to replace it. More care is required for shipping the Cavendish banana and its quality compared to Gros Michel is debated. Vorlage:Fruit-stub