Panama Disease

Fusarium Wilt 'tropical' race 4

• Panama Disease is a soil borne fungal disease that kills banana plants. The disease lasts in the soil for over 30 years.
• The disease causes the plant to go yellow and wilt and die rapidly. There is no known chemical or cultural cure.
• Panama disease causes a dark purple/red streaking in the pseudostem.
• Panama disease enters the plant roots from the soil and spreads throughout the plant and kills it by blocking the vascular tissue.
• The disease is spread by infected planting material and soil and can move in water flowing over infected areas. It is very easily moved in infected soil.
• If you see what you suspect is an infected Panama plant, DO NOT CUT IT UP OR ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IT, as you are likely to spread the disease further.
• Contact RDPIFR on 8999 2337 and we can assist you with the best methods of containing the disease.
• Preventing the disease from entering your property is the only defence.
• Resistant varieties are the only long-term answer once the disease is present.
• RDPIFR have research underway to find a resistant variety but results not available for 1-2 years.
• There are four races of Panama affecting bananas and they have all been found in Australia:
• Race 1 - found in most parts of the world, common in Queensland and New South Wales, affects Lady Finger, Ducasse types.
• Race 2 - found in South-East Asia, contained in North Queensland, affects only Blue Java/Blue Lubin types.
• Race 3 - affects some Heliconias only.
• Race 4 (temperate) - found in Taiwan and South-east Queensland, affects Lady Finger, Ducasse types and Cavendish.
• Race 4 (tropical) - common in Indonesia and Malaysia, found in isolated areas in the Northern Territory, affects Lady Finger, Ducasse types, most plantations and Cavendish.
  
  Tropical Race 4 is the only one found in the Northern Territory at this stage.

Northern Territory Situation with Panama Tropical Race 4

• First detected in the NT in 1997.
• Currently contained to six commercial banana farms of which three are no longer growing bananas and three are still in production and managing the disease. All are under various levels of quarantine to prevent spread to new areas.
• Not detected in backyard bananas.
• Current infection is restricted to a very small area geographically in the Lambells Lagoon and Darwin River areas. All areas are quarantined.
• Feral bananas not an issue as in North Queensland and New South Wales as they will die during the Dry Season unless irrigated.

• Exclusion and containment will always be the first line of defence. Quarantine procedures are in place and will be reviewed regularly. Extension programs to keep growers and the general public aware of the risks and the need for quarantine and farm equipment hygiene.
  
• Development of resistant varieties is the only long-term solution once the disease is present.