本集内容

Deadly pathogen threatens the world's most popular fruit

世界上最受欢迎的水果受到致命病原体威胁

文字稿

Bananas are under threat.

香蕉的生存正受到威胁。

The world's most popular fruit is a major part of hundreds of millions of people's diets.

香蕉是世界上最受欢迎的水果，它在上亿人的饮食中占据着重要部分。

But climate change is causing diseases to spread faster. Storms carry the pathogens, and higher temperatures mean they multiply quicker.

但气候变化正使得疾病的传播速度加快。风暴天气容易传播病原体，而更高的气温导致它们繁殖得更快。

The most concerning is a killer fungus called TR4.

其中最令人担忧的是一种被称为 TR4 的致命真菌。

Crops of the Cavendish banana – the best seller globally – are being ravaged by TR4, from Australia and Asia to the Middle East, Africa, and most recently, Latin America.

作为全球销量最高的香蕉品种，卡文迪什香蕉的收成正受到 TR4 的严重破坏，影响范围覆盖澳大利亚、亚洲、中东和非洲地区，以及最近受到影响的拉丁美洲。

Source: UN
It can kill 100% of a crop on a banana farm, and can survive in soil for up to 30 years.

信息来源：联合国
这种真菌可以杀死一个香蕉种植园 100%的作物，并且可以在土壤中存活长达 30 年。

But there is hope – scientists have developed a genetically-modified banana that's resistant to TR4.

但还是有希望的。科学家培育出了一种经过基因编辑的香蕉，这种香蕉对 TR4 具有抵抗力。

They're also experimenting with soil vaccines, and nuclear technology like irradiation to safely destroy disease-causing bacteria.

科学家还在对土壤疫苗技术和辐照等核技术进行实验，从而安全地摧毁致病细菌。

A global effort to give bananas a fighting chance.

全球正在共同努力来给香蕉一个抗争的机会。