Banana disease warning

FAR North Queensland’s banana industry could be under threat following an outbreak of an invasive infection across the region’s plantations.

According to the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC), banana growers are reporting an increase in the incidence of “leaf spot” in the north Queensland production area.

Leaf spot is the term that commonly refers to leaf speckle and yellow sigatoka diseases whose spores are easily spread in the air.

ABGC R&D manager Dr Rosie Godwin said, while leaf spot could cause a big reduction in yield, the fruit was still safe to eat.

“While exact numbers are not known, we have received reports of an increase in incidence of leaf spot and we’re reminding growers to ensure their management is up to date,” she said.

“The majority of North Queensland growers do the right thing when it comes to controlling leaf spot. Nonetheless, the cost of this control is significant.”

Dr Godwin said high levels of leaf spot in banana plants could cause a range of problems. “It can also reduce the ‘green life’ in fruit, which can cause uneven ripening,” she said.

“It is an increased cost for growers who have to de-leaf and spray to keep it under control and it is an unfair burden on neighbouring growers when one grower doesn’t keep the disease under control.

“Looking at the bigger picture, the presence of leaf spot makes it harder to detect exotic diseases.”

Dr Godwin said there were some measures growers could implement to manage and control the infection.

“All growers should aim to de-leaf regularly and use recommended spray control to keep leaf spot levels below the recommended 5 per cent area of the leaf,” she said.

“We understand that growers make their own decisions on farm, but a lack of leaf spot control has implications for surrounding growers as well.”

Banana growers are also encouraged to rotate the types of fungicides used in their spray program to minimise fungicide resistance.

LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE, THE PRESENCE OF LEAF SPOT MAKES IT HARDER TO DETECT EXOTIC DISEASES DR ROSIE GODWIN