QUEENSLAND is leading the way in combating Panama disease in bananas with testing procedures being confirmed as being accurate and reliable by two independent laboratories.
Panama TR4 Program leader Rebecca Sapuppo said the Royal Botanic Gardens laboratory in Sydney, and Stellenbosch University in South Africa had conducted their own tests of suspect samples taken from the known infected banana farm near Tully and arrived at the same uniformly positive results.
"Both laboratories are internationally recognised for their research into fusarium, the group of fungi which includes the Panama disease pathogen," she said.
"While there was never any doubt about our 2015 positive detection of Panama disease tropical race 4 at the Tully site, what these independent results do is support our testing approach," she said.
"It reinforces that Biosecurity Queensland’s plant diagnostic laboratory is at the forefront of diagnostics in Australia, and that we have the 'gold standard’ laboratory practices in the identification of Panama disease.
“Since March 2015, our laboratory team has examined more than 1400 suspect plant samples for Panama disease tropical race 4.”
Ms Sapuppo said testing was a highly-complex process.
"To help industry and growers better understand the science behind the disease diagnosis, we have produced a fact sheet that explains the laboratory processes involved," she said.
“The identification of Panama disease tropical race 4 in banana plants requires a range of tests conducted independently of each other. It is quite a lengthy and involved process to reach a positive or negative test result.
"There is growing international interest in the program’s laboratory procedures and diagnostic tests, especially as our team found one widely-accepted molecular test was not always consistent.
“The world is now looking to Australia for best practice identification, diagnostic testing and laboratory procedures in the detection of Panama disease tropical race 4.
“We are combining our knowledge and experience to assist Far North Queensland banana growers in the fight against this disease."
Ms Sapuppo said if external or internal symptoms were consistent with Panama disease, samples were taken from the suspect plant. Samples were then packaged and sent to the laboratory in Brisbane for testing.
The samples are examined in the laboratory by diagnostic specialists. When the sample is dissected and signs of Panama disease are present or suspected, the fungus is then cultured and examined under a microscope to determine if it belongs to the fungal group that causes Panama disease.
Additional tests then determine if the fungus is the Panama disease tropical race 4 pathogen or another strain of the pathogen. A conclusive diagnosis may take several weeks.
The fact sheet ‘Identification of Panama disease tropical race 4’ is available on the Biosecurity Queensland website here and attached to this email. A copy will be sent to all growers for inclusion in their Grower Kit.
If you suspect Panama disease in your plants, report it immediately to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
