Spray gun bunch spray system with Mark McAvoy
For banana producers, good spray coverage is an essential component for achieving fruit quality standards that meet market specifications. Banana grower, Mark McAvoy speaks with Tegan Cavallaro from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries about the spray gun system used on his farm. He provides an overview of the major components of the system as well as a demonstration of his bunch spraying technique.
Tour of the Lady Finger-like variety trial currently underway at South Johnstone
Discover the new Lady Finger-like selections and Sugar banana hybrids, planted at the Centre for Wet Tropics Agriculture, South Johnstone in December 2022.
Horticulturalist, Jeff Daniells explains the differences between varieties, and disease resistance. The trial will compare the agronomics of these varieties over a plant crop and first ratoon.
Major leaf spot diseases of banana
This video provides an overview of major leaf spot diseases that impact banana production throughout the world. If left unmanaged, they can have a significant impact on both yield and production costs. Yellow Sigatoka leaf spot is endemic to Australia’s banana-producing regions and is managed by commercial farms to limit its impact. However, two more virulent leaf spot diseases pose a significant risk if introduced to Australia. To reduce the impact of a future incursion, it’s important for anyone working in the Australian banana industry to be aware of the different leaf spot diseases, be vigilant in surveillance, and immediately report any suspect diseased plants to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
Yellow Sigatoka - life cycle and how it spreads
This short video explains the different stages of yellow Sigatoka symptom development, the types of fungal spores the pathogen produces, how the spores spread and the environmental conditions conducive to disease development.
Yellow Sigatoka - management tips for growers
This video advises on the current best practice for managing yellow Sigatoka. Managing the disease requires a combination of timely deleafing and appropriate fungicide application. Tegan Cavallaro and David East from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries discuss what’s involved.
Bagging technique improves fruit quality for Sellars Bananas
Experienced premium Cavendish grower Naomi Brownrigg is confident that their bagging technique which leaves a ‘flue’, has improved fruit quality by reducing fungal and mould issues.
Naomi is passionate about helping other growers improve their fruit quality and is willing to share her knowledge and experience of lessons learnt.
Panama disease race 1
(Recorded presentation)
This presentation was prepared by NSW DPI in response to a request for further information about Panama disease race 1 from banana growers in the Coffs Harbour region in NSW.
The presentation provides a summary of Panama disease, it’s history in the NSW growing region, how the disease affects banana plants, factors that contribute to its spread and biosecurity practices that growers can implement to help protect their properties from the disease.
It's more than just bananas for our banana NextGen group
Getting together, having a chat, and visiting and learning from other industries is what motivates our NextGen banana growers. If you’re a young, or young at heart banana grower wanting to connect and share new experiences, contact our Better bananas team at betterbananas.com.au or on 13 25 23.
Making biosecurity work for your farm
Mackay’s experience of farming with Panama disease tropical race 4.
Containment of Panama disease tropical race 4 remains a key priority for the Australian banana industry. Detected in the largest production region of Far North Queensland in March 2015, effective biosecurity remains key to limiting its spread.
Gavin and Stephen Mackay from Mackays Bananas share their experience of farming with the disease and how they have made biosecurity work for their farm.