Long six-week wait for Panama results
BIOSECURITY authorities and far north banana growers are nervously waiting for test results after a suspected Panama TR4 disease outbreak near Tully.
Samples taken from banana plants on a property have returned a positive result for the banana crop destroying disease.
Biosecurity Queensland’s chief biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said a final positive result could not be given until diagnostic tests were completed by a plant biosecurity lab in Brisbane
The test could take up to six weeks to complete.
“The property owners are working with Biosecurity Queensland to control and contain any disease and mitigate the risk of further spread,” Dr Thompson said.
“They’re exceptionally proactive and already have strict on-farm biosecurity measures in place on their property.
“The property owners are erecting exclusion fencing around the area to minimise the potential risk of disease spread while diagnostic testing is completed.”
Panama TR4 disease was first detected on Cavendish
banana plants on a farm in the Tully Valley, North Queensland, on March 3, 2015. The disease is not harmful to humans and does not affect the fruit. The fungus only affects the health of the plant and its ability to produce fruit.
“Prompt reporting of plants with suspected symptoms of Panama disease is a legal requirement, and critical to successful containment of the disease. Early detection and destruction of infected plants helps to slow any spread,” Dr Thompson said.
“Growers are urged to maintain their on-farm biosecurity to protect their properties from Panama disease tropical race 4.
If you suspect Panama disease in your plants, report it immediately to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.