Most experts agree that it’s only a matter of time before the Fusarium wilt strain known as tropical race 4 escapes from Asia and reaches Latin America and Africa. The recent development of a rapid and reliable diagnostic test that can be used on plant and soil samples should make it harder for the fungal strain to spread undetected.

A new project, based on a recommendation made at the latest ISHS/ProMusa Symposium, will help predict the impact of the dreaded Fusarium strain on banana production in Africa.

Growing bananas in Hawaii The methods used by Hawaiian producers to grow bananas are presented in a 30-minute video written, produced and directed by Scot Nelson of the University of Hawaii. His website also contains photos on more than 30 pest and disease problems of bananas as well as other resources, including documents and videos on the banana bunchy top virus.

Has blood disease reached Malaysia? In response to a posting on the appearance of an unknown disease in Malaysia, Ivan Buddenhagen speculates that it could be blood disease.

Fighting bunchy top by controlling its vector As part of a campaign to eradicate banana bunchy top disease from all commercial plantations on the far north coast of New South Wales in Australia, entomologists from the NSW Department of Primary Industries will be testing, in field and glasshouse trials, alternatives to dimethoate to control aphids.

Last August, experts gathered in Arusha, Tanzania, stressed the need for urgent action to tackle the threats posed by bunchy top disease and Xanthomonas wilt in Africa.

Adapted from the keynote addresses made by David Jones and Richard Markham at the ISHS/ProMusa Symposium on ‘Recent Advances in Banana Crop Protection for Sustainable Production and Improved Livelihoods’.