Month: December 2018

By Hazel Gaza and Tony Pattison Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, South Johnstone Nitrogen application is an important component to profitable banana production. The nitrogen applied to soil is taken up by the roots and used to produce chlorophyll in the leaves, giving them their green colour. The more chlorophyll in…

Australia’s subtropical banana experience was shared with experts from across the world at ProMusa 2018.  The conference, part of the 30th International Horticultural Congress, was held in Turkey and featured presentations from Matt Weinert, of the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, and Doriana Mangili, from the…

By Tony Pattison Filipino banana growers differ greatly in how effectively they manage Fusarium Wilt (Panama Disease) of banana. In a nutshell, the farms that were most effective in managing the disease were typically those with more resources to allocate to the problem. These stark contrasts in…

Several new varieties shown to be resistant to TR4 overseas are being assessed for agronomic performance in a new trial commenced recently at South Johnstone Research Facility. Queensland DAF gives an overview of what’s in store. Jeff Daniells, Katie Ferro and Massimo Bianco – DAF Queensland…

In August 2018 the three-year funded BA14012 ‘Coordination of the Banana Industry R&D Panama TR4)’ project was completed. The purpose of this project was to coordinate and build knowledge and capacity within the Australian banana industry to manage and contain Panama Tropical Race 4 (TR4) fungal disease…

Carl Rickson has certainly taken the road less travelled on his way to becoming a Plant Health Officer. The newest face in the Australian Banana Growers’ Council office has played NRL, skippered boats, worked on a ski mountain in Japan and even in rail. But it’s clear he brings…

Organophosphate insecticides are commonly used to control insect pests in bananas, including thrips, caterpillars and borers. Chlorpyrifos dust is a common option, but it can poison humans as well as insects if absorbed through the skin, inhaled or swallowed. Under state laws, businesses are therefore required to ensure the health and safety…