2021 Panama TR4 Epidemiological Review
An independently commissioned review into Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4) in Far North Queensland has provided a list of research priorities that will help guide industry to manage the disease in the long term.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Chief Biosecurity Officer Malcolm Letts, who chairs the Panama TR4 Program Management Board (Board), said the 2021 Panama TR4 Epidemiological Review (the Review) generated some key actions that industry, government and growers could take on board.
"The Board will now be progressing a number of priority areas of research including investigations into the protocol for destroying diseased plants, alternative methods of detecting the disease like e-nose technology, and environmental, host, pathogen relationships," Mr Letts said.
For growers the Review suggests a number of agronomic practices that would assist with minimising crop losses to Panama TR4, and management strategies that improve plant and soil health so plants are less predisposed to infection.
The Panama TR4 Program Management Board encourages growers to read the 2021 Panama TR4 Epidemiological Review and welcomes feedback via the Industry Transition Leader, Geoff Wilson on 0418 644 068 or geoff@abgc.org.au.
Read the 2021 Panama TR4 Epidemiological Review (PDF, 953.5KB).
Read the Chair’s statement in response to the 2021 Panama TR4 Epidemiological Review (PDF, 612.6KB).