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Diseases of plants: Fusarium wilt
Fusarium wilt is also known as Panama disease
Fusarium wilt or Panama disease is considered the world’s worst disease of bananas. The strain of this fungal disease we’re most concerned about keeping out of Australia is called ‘tropical race four’. This strain is of great concern because it can attack nearly all known varieties of banana, including Cavendish. It is under quarantine containment in some areas near Darwin, and the only way to stop it from spreading is through cooperation between Quarantine and the banana industry.
Keep a Top Watch
Watch out for Fusarium wilt and if you think your banana plants are infected, contact your quarantine officer immediately. The greatest danger of spread comes from moving infected planting material (suckers), which can look healthy on the outside. It can also be moved in very small quantities of soil.
Profile: Fusarium wilt infects the roots of banana plants then chokes the plant’s water supply, eventually killing it. The fungus survives in the soil for decades and prevents the growth of new banana plants.
Identification: The oldest leaves turn an obvious yellow, and later young leaves may collapse near the stem. These symptoms can be masked when water supply is good. If you cut the stem crossways close to the base, you can see brown, red or yellow rings of discoloured tissue. The banana clump may produce several suckers before it eventually dies.
Photos below:Banana leaves with Fusarium wilt turn an obvious yellow.The banana plant stem also has brown, red and yellow rings of discoloured tissue.
Distribution: Different strains affect different varieties of bananas. The closest location of Fusarium wilt to Australia’s north is Irian Jaya in Indonesia.
Threat: As the disease contaminates the soil for many years, production of susceptible banana varieties such as Cavendish bananas must stop in infected regions. That means fruit supply is reduced, affecting the market value of the fruit and income for growers.
Quarantine: Quarantine is the only way to stop the disease from spreading and AQIS is working with the banana industry to help ensure there are no further outbreaks. Strict controls apply to banana imports to Australia to prevent the disease from being introduced from overseas.