Plant tissue culture: providing strategic support for the banana industry

Abstract

The Australian banana industry is one of the largest horticultural fruit
commodities valued at approximatelyM$392 for 2006-07. It has and continues to
face emerging disease and market challenges that must be reduced or eliminated
by developing and implementing improved farm practices. There are serious pathogens affecting commercial banana production. Subtropical Panama (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense) and Banana Bunchy Top Virus are found in areas of Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland. An even more serious pathogen, Tropical Panama, in the Northern Territory can decimate tropical banana production where, in Australia, over 80% of bananas are grown. One of the aims of this project is to provide to industry ways to eliminate entry of pests and diseases and provide means to reduce impacts of diseases where they occur. Another aim is to ensure industry has access to, and makes best use of, clean tissue culture planting material via the Quality Banana Approved Nursery scheme. Clean tissue cultured plants can be used to improve farm practice, reduce labour costs and improve product and profits to the grower. This project assists industry to meet these challenges by undertaking applied plant biotechnology research and providing support to biosecurity strategies and associated activities.