Eighth Australian Banana Industry Congress

Mr Andrew Daly attended and manned a booth for the Northern Territory Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources at the Eighth Australian Banana Industry Congress held in Queensland in June 2009. Whilst manning the booth Andrew had the opportunity to present and discuss information regarding research being done in the Northern Territory on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). This information helped create awareness within the industry about the seriousness of Foc TR4, the devastating impact it can have and the importance of diligent farm hygiene and quarantine to prevent introduction.

Whilst in Queensland Andrew also attended the annual meeting of Fusarium Wilt Research and Extension Coordinating Committee (FUSCOM) held in Toowoomba at  the Queensland Primary Industry and Fisheries offices. During this meeting one of the topics presented and discussed was Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (Fov) and the research being conducted in this area. Many aspects of Fov biology are applicable to Foc and therefore, this meeting was beneficial for making wider research contacts and useful for developing future Foc TR4 research.

Andrew also met with CRCNPB PhD Candidate, Rachel Meldrum and her academic supervisor Elizabeth Aitken at the University of Queensland, St Lucia campus. They discussed Rachel’s immediate priorities for project CRC60097: Fusarium TR4 and the research plan for the ensuing 12 months.

This travel to Queensland enabled Andrew to discuss future collaborative areas of banana disease research with numerous researchers from other state agencies. It also gave him a greater understanding of the industry as a whole and the relevance and importance of it to the national economy and social structure. The trip also allowed Andrew to see the many research and development activities being undertaken and how Foc TR4 research may fit into the future development of the industry.

Finally, Andrew had the opportunity to engage in productive dialogue with numerous banana industry researchers about the possibilities for research on Foc TR4 in particular. Collaborative research activities that may result will aim to improve preventative, containment and control strategies for Foc TR4. The research will also endeavour to develop a sustainable banana industry with greater protection from the effects of this disease.