Diseases of plants: Black sigatoka
Black Sigatoka is a devastating banana disease found in most banana producing countries. A number of outbreaks in Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula were eradicated before authorities battled the first incursion in a commercial growing area - near Tully, north Queensland, in 2001. Quarantine and growers must stop this disease from establishing in Australia to protect the livelihood of growers and all industry workers.
Keep a Top Watch
If you’re travelling south from the Torres Strait or northern Cape York Peninsula, never carry leaves, suckers or any part of a banana plant. Banana imports to Australia are strictly controlled and importing leaves is prohibited. Watch out for foreign boats that may be carrying bananas or banana plants. If you think your banana plants may be infected, contact your quarantine officer immediately. If you live in the Torres Strait or Cape York Peninsula, Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries can supply you with Sigatoka-resistant banana plants.
Profile: Black Sigatoka is a fungal disease that destroys banana leaves and can seriously reduce crop yield. It is very severe on Cavendish bananas, ladyfingers and several other dessert bananas.
Photos below: Black Sigatoka is a devastating banana disease that destroys banana leaves and can seriously reduce crop yield. Lesions can be found on the upper surface of leaves on affected plants.
Identification: First symptoms are narrow, rusty, reddish-brown streaks on the underside of leaves. These become dark brown or black spots on both surfaces, and develop yellow margins and grey centres. Leaf symptoms look like those of yellow Sigatoka (a common disease in production areas) but the most important difference is that more and younger leaves are killed off.
Distribution: The disease is widespread in countries to Australia’s north and is found on certain outer islands of the Torres Strait. Strict quarantine control prevents movement of banana plants and fruit from this area.
Threat: Overseas, growers control black Sigatoka with much higher doses of pesticides than are currently used in Australia. This is harmful to the environment and greatly raises the price of bananas.
Quarantine: AQIS surveys banana crops throughout northern Australia and nearby countries for black Sigatoka. Import of any banana material that may be carrying black Sigatoka is prohibited.