Rachel Meldrum
2007 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Winner
Rachel Meldrum - Fungus free bananas for the future
Northern Territory Winner
Tropical cyclones have devastated Australian banana crops in recent times, but according to Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines graduate trainee Rachel Meldrum, a soil-borne fungus poses the biggest threat to the industry.
"Fusarium wilt is regarded as one of the most destructive plant diseases in the history of agriculture," she said.
Australian bananas are not immune - a particularly infectious strain, referred to as 'tropical' race 4 (TR4), has caused a 60 per cent decline in the Northern Territory’s banana production since it was discovered 10 years ago.
The fungus infects the plant via the root and spreads rapidly both within and between farms.
At present there is no long-term solution for eradication, so limiting its spread is vital for the sustainability of the banana industry.
Rachel aims to investigate whether the spread of TR4 may be assisted by another destructive agent - the banana weevil, which damages plants by boring into the stem.
"Knowing whether banana weevils are vectors could assist in the prevention of the potentially catastrophic spread of the disease," she said.
Rachel's award winning project aims to determine the presence of TR4 on, or in, banana weevils and if they are capable of carrying the fungus between farms.
"This project will allow me to expand our knowledge of TR4 epidemiology and, in doing so, help our local banana industry."
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