Banana industry on alert as fungal disease spreads in Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Government has confirmed several outbreaks of the fungal disease known as banana freckle.
Key points: Banana freckle disease has was discovered on 29 properties in the Northern Territory A pattern behind the spread of the disease has yet to be identified by authorities Banana freckle affects plant health and causes blemishes on the skin of bananas < p class="_1HzXw">After initially being found on a single property near Rum Jungle in May, the government today identified 12 new infection sites in Fly Creek, Batchelor, Marrakai and the Tiwi Islands.
The disease was detected last month at the government's own Coastal Plains research farm and was also confirmed at a commercial farm.
The total number of infected properties has increased to 29.
< p class="_1HzXw">NT Plant Health Officer Anne Walters said government and industry were ready to announce an eradication plan for the disease, but that hadn't been put on hold following widespread detections.
"I don't think anything went wrong…it's obviously widespread but what seems to be the case is that it's is still fairly localized in these areas, we found it," she said.
"The pattern is unclear on how this disease spreads , so it is clear that tracing will be a critical component in the next stage of the program."
Dr Walters said there was promise that monitoring via Darwin and Palmerston did not detect the disease.
The government is urging people to check their banana trees for signs of the disease. (ABC Rural: Lydia Burton)
Check your bananas
NT Farmers Association chief executive Paul Burke said the confirmation of banana freckle at 12 new sites demonstrated the need for everyone to check their banana plants for signs of the disease.
"If you have a banana tree in your backyard, or if you have a commercial farm, it is essential that you check your plants," he said.
"If you think you have banana freckle, please contact the 24-hour Alien Plant Pest Helpline on 1800 084 881."
The disease can affect the productivity of banana trees and, although affected bananas are safe to eat, freckles on skin reduce their market value.
According to the government website, banana freckle has been recorded in 27 countries in Southeast Asia, Oceania and India.

Agrotech Aug 5, 2022 0 177 Add to Reading List

Banana industry on alert as fungal disease spreads in Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Government has confirmed several outbreaks of the fungal disease known as banana freckle.

Key points: Banana freckle disease has was discovered on 29 properties in the Northern Territory A pattern behind the spread of the disease has yet to be identified by authorities Banana freckle affects plant health and causes blemishes on the skin of bananas < p class="_1HzXw">After initially being found on a single property near Rum Jungle in May, the government today identified 12 new infection sites in Fly Creek, Batchelor, Marrakai and the Tiwi Islands.

The disease was detected last month at the government's own Coastal Plains research farm and was also confirmed at a commercial farm.

The total number of infected properties has increased to 29.

< p class="_1HzXw">NT Plant Health Officer Anne Walters said government and industry were ready to announce an eradication plan for the disease, but that hadn't been put on hold following widespread detections.

"I don't think anything went wrong…it's obviously widespread but what seems to be the case is that it's is still fairly localized in these areas, we found it," she said.

"The pattern is unclear on how this disease spreads , so it is clear that tracing will be a critical component in the next stage of the program."

Dr Walters said there was promise that monitoring via Darwin and Palmerston did not detect the disease.

A bunch of Lady Finger bananas still on the tree at Rum Jungle Organics.

Check your bananas

NT Farmers Association chief executive Paul Burke said the confirmation of banana freckle at 12 new sites demonstrated the need for everyone to check their banana plants for signs of the disease.

"If you have a banana tree in your backyard, or if you have a commercial farm, it is essential that you check your plants," he said.

"If you think you have banana freckle, please contact the 24-hour Alien Plant Pest Helpline on 1800 084 881."

The disease can affect the productivity of banana trees and, although affected bananas are safe to eat, freckles on skin reduce their market value.

According to the government website, banana freckle has been recorded in 27 countries in Southeast Asia, Oceania and India.