Queensland banana growers confront spreading Panama disease as resistant varieties are tested

Panama disease tropical race 4 (TR4) has now been found on an 11th banana farm in Queensland, extending the pathogen’s reach along the Tully River corridor. Grower Leon Collins, chair of the Australian Banana Growers' Council, describes the fight as a losing battle but hopes plant breeding will provide a solution. Researchers at Queensland University of Technology received federal clearance to commercialise QCAV-4, a genetically modified Cavendish that carries a resistance gene, though it is not yet on the market.

Parallel efforts led by Naomi Abbott involve traditional cross-breeding, with several hybrid lines slated for possible release by 2028. The state Department of Primary Industries reports that existing resistant lines suffer significant yield penalties, indicating further investment is needed. Strict local biosecurity has so far contained the fungus to the Tully district, but nearby farms remain on high alert. Farmers such as Adrian Crema welcome the progress in breeding, seeing it as the most promising development of the year.