Here’s what you can do if you’re a banana grower.
Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4) is a serious disease of banana plants that has been found on farms in Far North Queensland. We have developed a number of resources to help you protect your farm from Panama TR4.
Understanding Panama TR4.
Panama TR4 is a soilborne fungal disease that enters through the roots and starves the plant of water and nutrients, causing the plant to wilt and die.
Panama TR4 can infect most banana varieties including:
Cavendish
Lady Finger
Ducasse.
The disease is among the greatest threats to worldwide banana production. In some countries, the impact on industries and livelihoods has been devastating. We need to manage the disease in Far North Queensland or the same impact may occur.
The disease can't be eradicated and can survive undetected in the soil for decades. We can't identify Panama TR4 until banana plants show external signs of infection.
You can easily spread the disease if you move:
infected banana plants and planting material
contaminated soil and water.
People and machinery movement are the biggest risk to spreading the disease, but it can also be spread by:
vehicles
equipment
animals
heavy rainfall
floods.
Grower support for the TR4 Control Program.
Important action required by all growers.
Since the first detection of Panama TR4 in the Tully Valley in 2015, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) has worked closely with Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) and growers to contain and control the disease to the Tully Valley, where there are currently 9 properties with the disease.
Industry now leads the new TR4 Control Program, transitioning from the government-led program on 1 July 2023.
The Program will continue to uphold the high standard of surveillance and operations established by Biosecurity Queensland, since 2015.
Early detection through regular surveillance is critical.
ABGC need growers to return a signed consent form, to enable data captured from ABGC surveillance to be shared between the ABGC and Biosecurity Queensland.
If you’re a grower located in the Northern Banana Biosecurity Zone (Between Cooktown and Rollingstone), you should have rececived a letter in the mail from DAF regarding consent.
If you have not received this letter please contact us at info@abgc.org.au or call Geoff Wilson on 0418 644 068.
Panama TR4 grower kit.
The Panama TR4 grower kit brings together the latest information about the disease, on-farm biosecurity practices and support services, specifically for Far North Queensland banana growers. You may have received a grower kit in the mail, if you have a farm in Far North Queensland.
The kit includes:
information about the disease
best management practices for on-farm biosecurity
biosecurity checklist
information about checking plants for the disease
visitor register template
farm gate signage template
decontamination guide
wash-down designs
information for banana farm workers and contractors
legal obligations
diagnostic testing for Panama disease
managing feral pigs
frequently asked questions
support services and handy contacts.
Protecting your farm.
Good on-farm biosecurity measures are critical to protect farms from Panama TR4 and to contain the disease if it is detected. You must ensure you manage the movement of soil, water and plant material entering and exiting a farm.
Equipment and items that have come into contact with infected planting material or contaminated soil may spread the disease, such as:
vehicles
machinery
tools
clothing boots.
On-farm biosecurity measures include:
zoning—a simple and cost-effective way to manage disease risk pathways onto and off a farm
footwear exchange stations and foot baths
cleaning and disinfecting all vehicles and machinery
setting up a clean access road.
Financial assistance.
The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) offers sustainability loans to eligible producers under the Queensland Government Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme (PIPES). A sustainability loan can be used to invest in control measures to protect farms from biosecurity risks.
Read more about sustainability loans for primary producers.
Book an appointment with an extension officer.
The National Banana Development and Extension team is here to help you get started with your on-farm biosecurity.
