Author: Amy Spear
Put your hands together for industry’s best
The banana industry celebrated the incredible work of five of its best at a gala event in Cairns last night. Growers Dennis Howe and Franziska and Peter Inderbitzin, along with horticulturalist Jeff Daniells, received Awards of Honour at the Banana Ball, held at Cairns Convention Centre. Gavin…
Congress begins in banana heartland
More than 450 growers, researchers and industry stakeholders have arrived in Cairns for Banana Congress 2021. The industry’s premier biennial event is a celebration of all those who work to keep Australia’s favourite fruit on the table, providing inspiration, practical tips and an insight into the…
Rotation crops for banana growers to reduce nematodes
By Tony Pattison, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Losses and damage caused by plant-parasitic nematodes, like burrowing nematode, are reoccurring problems on many banana farms. The nematodes feed on the roots of the plants (Fig 1) and can slow plant growth, reduce bunch weights and…
Microbes Matter: Why bother with the small things?
By Tony Pattison, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Soils are teaming with life, with up to five tonnes of soil organisms per hectare (e.g. bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and many others). While some species are damaging to plants, causing diseases, many more are beneficial (See…
First ratoon variety results at South Johnstone
By Katie Ferro, Jeff Daniells and Ashley Balsom, Queensland DAF The first ratoon crop is now completed in the variety trial at South Johnstone, and the results are encouraging with: • The TBRI Cavendish selection Asia Pacific #3 showing comparable yields and fruit length to Williams…
Biosecurity key for slowing spread of Race 1
Information in this article is courtesy of Tom Flanagan / NSW Department of Primary Industries In the Australian banana industry, the word Panama is often used to describe one thing: the devastating Tropical race 4 (TR4). While Far North Queensland, home to 94% of Australian…