Month: December 2018

For the past year, the Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project (MIP) has worked with local organisations and landholders to identify ways to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Basin Coordinator Sandra Henrich said the project responds to demand for relevant, local information about water quality, and solutions…

Early observations of an innovation field trial at South Johnstone indicates the weed matting has delayed bell emergence, and Pinto Peanut (Arachis pintoi) has shown to be the most promising living ground cover option.  As part of the industry’s National Banana Development and Extension Program, 390 Williams Cavendish banana…

Banana grower Matt Abbott summarises what many in the industry know all too well: “Banana growers are growing more, working harder and being paid less for their product.” It’s a sentiment that sparked his extensive Nuffield Scholarship study, focusing on how to increase value through branding. His final report has recently…

With thanks to Foodbank  26% The number of food relief recipients in Australia under the age of 19. 710,000 The number of Australians Foodbank provides relief to every month. 227,300kg The amount of bananas donated since January 2018. It can be easy to take for…

Images supplied by Barry Sullivan Under the Microscope profiles the industry’s emerging and exotic diseases. Sometimes you just need the facts, fast. What is bunchy top? Bunchy top is one of the most devastating viral diseases worldwide. It is known for causing a ‘bunched’ appearance of new…

Battling Bunchy Top is an ongoing challenge for Australia’s banana industry and 2018 has been another interesting year for projects in South East QLD and Northern NSW.  Project leader Barry Sullivan has this update. Northern New South Wales  Work has continued in Northern New South Wales, despite the…

Tony Pattison, Hazel Gaza, Paul Dennis and Henry Birt The microbes in our bodies, and the discoveries of how important these are for our wellbeing, provide us with new insights for agriculture and banana research. Our bodies host an incredible 30 trillion microbial cells that help to keep us strong and…