Understanding the role of latency in Banana Bunchy Top Virus symptom expression

Abstract

This project contributes directly to the Banana industry Strategic Investment Plan through Outcome 1, New varieties introduced and improved pest and disease management that improve varietal diversity and biosecurity, and specifically 1.3: Continue research to improve pest and disease management and biosecurity - The industry can effectively contain endemic diseases such as Race 1 and BBTV.

The control of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is a significant investment for the banana industry. With the current control program, the disease has been maintained at a relatively low level in recent years in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales production areas, but with some difficult-to-control outbreaks. However, a recent BBTV epidemiological modelling study using current knowledge, has highlighted significant gaps in our knowledge of BBTV epidemiology that need to be addressed to maximise the efficiency of the control program.