Panama disease control

Panama disease is a serious disease of bananas caused by the Fusarium wilt fungus, which spreads with soil and water movement, and also with infected planting material.

Different strains of fungus

There are four races of the fungus:

• Race 1 attacks Lady finger, Sugar and Ducasse bananas but not Cavendish bananas.
• Race 2 attacks Bluggoe and Blue Java bananas, but not other banana varieties.
• Race 3 attacks only Heliconia and is not a problem on bananas.
• Race 4 attacks nearly all varieties of bananas, including the main commercial Cavendish variety.

Effects of panama disease

Effects range from reduced yields to death of the plants. The soil remains infested indefinitely so that only resistant varieties can be grown on that site in the future. These effects create costs for production.

What does it look like?

The first symptoms are yellowing and dying of the leaf edges, often mistaken for effects of water stress. The leaves later collapse, until the plant has the appearance of a stump with a skirt of dead or dying leaves. Internally, the water conducting tissue is discoloured.

How is it controlled?

Prompt detection is essential, and affected plants must be destroyed because the disease cannot be cured. There are strict quarantine regulations to prevent spread of infected material to clean areas through movement of soil, water or plant materials. 

Foremost among preventive measures is exclusion, supported by a general awareness of the characteristic external and internal symptoms of panama disease, so that reporting of disease can occur.

Note: If you live in Queensland and suspect you have panama disease in your bananas, you should report to a plant health inspector (see Biosecurity contacts).

Simple farm hygiene procedures, aimed at reducing movement of infected planting material and infested soil, include single entry points to clean areas and foot baths for farm workers and visitors. In areas that are infected with panama disease, it is important to avoid sharing machinery and equipment.

Control programs

Parts of Queensland are free of some of the panama disease strains. The banana industry and the Queensland Government are keen to ensure that the effects of this disease are minimised by eradicating infections where possible, and restricting movement of bananas from infected areas. Panama disease is kept in check by constant vigilance of inspectors and strict industry controls.

Key strategies for Panama disease in Queensland are:

• Continue to monitor the distribution of this fungus in Queensland and Northern Territory.
• Eradicate banana plantations affected by Panama disease race 4.
• Ensure there is no movement of infested soil.
• Establish criteria for ensuring planting material and nursery plants are free of disease.
• Seek disease-resistant varieties in collaboration with world breeding programs and collections.

Last reviewed 09 June 2005