Banana Freckle
Banana Freckle (Phyllosticta cavendishii) is a serious fungal disease affecting banana plants and fruit.
The Phyllosticta cavendishii strain of banana freckle was first detected on Dwarf Cavendish bananas in the Batchelor – Rum Jungle region in May 2022.
A national response plan has been implemented to eradicate banana freckle.
Under the plan, only banana plants on properties where the disease has been detected will be removed.
Banana freckle was previously detected on Cavendish bananas in the NT in 2013. A national cost-shared $24 million eradication response ran from 2013-2019. Banana freckle was declared eradicated in 2019.
What is Banana Freckle?
Banana freckle disease causes characteristic ‘sandpapery feeling’ spots on leaves and fruit. Plant health, productivity, and fruit quality and appearance can be adversely affected. A number of species of the fungus Phyllosticta can cause banana freckle symptoms on banana, some are exotic to Australia.
The NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) leads the response to Banana Freckle.
The $5.5 million Response Plan includes:
- monitoring and early detection
- removal of host plants on infected premises
- eradication and proof of freedom activities until 2024
- continued monitoring to ensure premises remain free of host plants for a minimum of 12 months.
The plan was endorsed through the national emergency plant pest response arrangements. Costs are shared by the Australian, state and territory governments, and industry. The NT government contributes extra resources and funding to the eradication program
