Bananas in Queensland
The banana industry in Queensland worth over $200 million per year. QPIF's quarantine restrictions and disease control combined with research activities and production advice help to maintain the productivity of the industry.
Pests and diseases
Farm Biosecurity Manual for the Banana Industry
Biosecurity Queensland and Plant Health Australia have put their heads together to provide Australian banana growers with access to a one-stop-shop for information on how to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases which threaten their farms and industry.
The Farm Biosecurity Manual for the Banana Industry highlights important information about good biosecurity practices such as spotting the industry’s high priority pests and diseases, tips on farm hygiene and how to ensure planting material is pest and disease free.
For more information or to obtain a copy of the Manual contact the Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or download a copy from the Plant Health Australia website.
Significant diseases - industry threats
Banana pest and disease control
Three diseases threaten Queenslands banana industry: bunchy top, Panama disease and black Sigatoka.
Deleafing of banana plants to control Sigatoka
Legislation and movement restrictions for disease control
Position paper: Repeal of the Banana Industry Protection Act 1989
Consultation on the Queensland Government position paper for the repeal of the Banana Industry Protection Act 1989 has been completed.
Inspector's Approvals are required to move and plant bananas. This also applies for home gardeners. This is because the plant can harbour diseases which, if not kept under control, could spread and destroy the entire commercial banana industry.
For information about moving bananas see Transporting plants.
See also:
A Guide to the new banana leaf spot regulations
Inspector's approvals under the Plant Protection Act 1989
Inspector's approvals are issued to allow for movement within and out of the pest area if certain conditions are met.
Other diseases
Banana aphid
Banana bract mosaic disease
Banana flower thrips
Banana freckle
Banana fruit caterpillar
Banana leaf spot diseases
Banana rust thrips
Banana scab moth
Banana weevil borer
Banana-silvering thrips
Banana-spotting and fruitspotting bugs
Banana-spotting and fruit-spotting bugs in rare fruit
Choke throat
Cluster caterpillar
Fruit piercing moths in rare fruit
Queensland fruit flies
Spider mite & two-spotted mite
Spiraling whitefly
Sugarcane bud moth
Crop management
Tropical bananas (North Queensland)
Extracts from the kit:
-Growing tropical bananas: before you start
-Growing tropical bananas: common questions
Fallows and rotations in bananas in North Queensland
Plant spacing considerations for North Queensland bananas
Subtropical bananas (South Queensland)
Basic requirements of South Queensland bananas
Preparing land for subtropical bananas
Fertiliser recommendations for subtropical bananas
General (tropical and subtropical)
Banana bunch covering
Banana nurseries for pest free planting material
Bananas: methods of irrigation
Better drainage for banana plantations
Following sucker management in bananas
How to avoid mixed ripe problems with bananas
How to minimise maturity bronzing in bananas
Nurse suckering: a useful banana crop management option
Tips on growing lady finger bananas
Last updated 26 July 2009