Month: December 2019

By Amy Spear The first thing you notice when arriving at Jason Gentle’s banana plantation, near Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, is just how steep the hill is. The next is how much he loves it.  Jason is a fourth-generation grower who, with his mum Monica, invested…

Well-known soil biology expert, Dr Tony Pattison, was recently honoured for 25 years with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). The globally-respected scientist, author and Principal Nemotologist took time to reflect on his milestone achievement of service, which he described as both fulfilling and challenging. By Sonia Campbell Making a difference…

A regular feature in Australian Bananas magazine, Under the Microscope profiles the industry’s emerging and exotic diseases. Sometimes you just need the facts, fast. What is Moko Disease? Moko is caused by a bacterium called Ralstonia solanacearum which belongs to a group of pathogens that cause bacterial wilts in…

By Amy Spear At this time of year, it’s hard to think of a better treat than a tub of cold, creamy gelato. But if you needed an extra reason to tuck in, the popular dessert is also providing a tasty way to give new life to banana…

Innovation trial update  By Shanara Veivers, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries The innovation trial planted at the South Johnstone Research Station in November 2017 investigates various ‘out of the box’ concepts that growers may not be willing to take on due to the financial risk, or have the time and…

By Lea Coghlan and Sarah Flenley, Biosecurity Queensland Finding Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4) early and destroying the infected plants means less disease can build up in the soil which is beneficial to an infested farm’s viability. To find the disease: • growers are…

All growers know that bananas require year-round paddock work, which means there is greater risk of erosion in wet conditions. As part of a major reef water quality project, Innisfail banana farmer Rob Zahra is demonstrating the effects of reduced traffic in banana inter-rows and the potential benefits to…