Devastating banana freckle disease found in Northern Territory

Banana freckle disease has been discovered in the Northern Territory, sparking fears of an outbreak that could threaten the local banana industry.

It is the first discovery of the disease since Australia was declared banana freckle-free in 2019. The fungal disease causes rough sandpaper-like spots to form on banana plants and their fruit.

The first case of the new outbreak was discovered two weeks ago in the Batchelor-Rum Jungle area, about 105km south of Darwin. At least two more cases have since been discovered.

Phyllosticta cavendishii is a fungus found across Asia named for theCavendish bananas it attacks. Infected fruit remains edible and unchanged, but the fungus candrastically reduce the overall productivity and yield of a plant by limiting its ability to photosynthesise.

The less-than appetising rash also makes bananas infected by the fungus difficult to sell at market.

Dr Rosie Godwin, a researcher for the Australian Banana Council, said eradicating the disease last time involved the removal of thousands of banana plants from the Territory, an approach criticised by some banana growers who felt it was too heavy-handed.

But she says it was ultimately successful.

Around 96% of Australian banana production occurs in northern Queensland, where Godwin said farmers she has spoken to have expressed concerns over the spread of the disease.

Restrictions have been imposed to limit the spread, including requiring all bananas grown in the NT to be sold within the territory and banning the movement of fruit across the border.

Burke said the outbreak does not appear to have had any significant impact on prices at the consumer end, but would increase costs for farmers.