Understanding what’s happening in the soil is helping Navpreet and Gursharan from Hill60 Plantation at El Arish grow stronger, healthier banana crops.
After planting a new block, the growers began noticing signs that something wasn’t right. Leaves were yellowing, necrosis was appearing on the edges and plant growth across the block was uneven.
“We could see the plants were not healthy, but we didn’t know the reason,” Navpreet said. “That’s why we contacted the Banana BMP team.”
Growers interested in improving their nutrient management can contact the BMP team at [email protected]. Alternatively, growers are encouraged to attend the free Banana BMP Nutrient Management Workshop, Tuesday 2 June, 11am–2pm at DPI South Johnstone. Lunch provided! Contact Laura from the ABGC BMP team at [email protected] or 0419 602 864 to book your spot!
Soil testing quickly identified the issue, with low pH and high aluminium levels detected in the soil. These conditions can restrict root development and reduce the plant’s ability to take up essential nutrients.
Working with the BMP team, the growers developed a paddock-specific nutrient management plan. Amendments including lime and Cal-Mag were applied, and six-monthly soil testing was introduced to monitor soil health and guide future nutrient decisions.
“The soil test helped us understand the problem,” Gursharan said. “Before we were guessing a bit. Now we know what the soil needs.”
Since implementing the plan, plant health has improved and fruit performance across the block is strong.
“Now the plants look much better and more even,” Navpreet said. “Having the plan gives us confidence we are doing the right thing.”
Support through the Banana BMP Best Practice Fund also enabled the purchase of a fertiliser spreader, helping improve fertiliser application efficiency while strengthening on-farm biosecurity and self-sufficiency.
The Hill60 Plantation project highlights how understanding individual paddock conditions and using soil testing to guide nutrient management can deliver benefits for both productivity and sustainability.
Over the past four years, 46 growers have worked with the Banana BMP team to develop nutrient management plans tailored to their individual farming situations, helping growers better understand their soils and optimise fertiliser use.
“For other growers, I would say it is worth doing the soil testing,” Gursharan said. “You learn a lot about your farm and it helps you make better decisions.”
The Banana Best Management Practice Project (2023–2026) is funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council in partnership with north Queensland growers.