North America Edition
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A destructive fungal disease known for wiping out entire banana crops is hitting plantations on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. The disease, known as Panama disease race 1, is threatening a banana supply shortage of the Lady Finger and Ducasse banana varieties.
Coffs Harbour and District Banana Growers' Association vice president Wally Gately explained how Panama disease spreads through soil movement: "It's a soil-borne disease so it can move with water or it can wash down stream to another farm. It can even just be picked up on mud on tyres."
High rainfall in the mountainous area provides the ideal conditions for fungal spores to spread to surrounding properties, especially when the run-off crosses a road.
Source: abc.net.au
Photo source: Dreamstime.com
