Further test results have confirmed a positive result for the Panama Tropical-Race 4 pathogen on the same Tully Valley farm where the disease was originally found in March. “Laboratory testing involving PCR and biological (vegetative compatibility group or VCG) testing of fungal cultures extracted from the sample has confirmed the presence of the disease on another area of the farm,” said Chief Biosecurity Officer for Biosecurity Queensland, Dr Jim Thompson. “It is quite possible that this site may have been infested prior to the initial detection in March.”
The farm has been operating since June under strict biosecurity controls, and the result was not unexpected, according to relevant authorities.
The plant is in a separate farming block to the area where the original infested plants were found and destroyed, according to a statement issued by the Australian Banana Growers Council.
The positive result highlights the need for continued biosecurity controls, and reporting, according to the ABGC Chairman Doug Phillips. “While the situation remains that TR4 has only been detected on one quarantined banana farm all growers need to keep a watch for any banana plants showing symptoms of the plant disease and report concerns to Biosecurity Queensland,” he said.
TR4 symptoms may be present for up to a year before they become visible in plants, so there is a need to check and re-check plants regularly, Mr Phillips added. The disease poses a risk to Australia's $600 million banana industry if found to have spread.
Banana growers are able to attend workshops jointly funded by the Queensland and Federal Governments to learn and implement biosecurity measures to protect farms. So far the ABGC said that growers from farms covering 70% of the North Queensland production area have attended.
For more information visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au
For information on preventing panama disease visit www.daf.qld.gov.au, or call 13 25 23