Australia develops TR4-resistant Cavendish banana varieties

Panama disease tropical race 4 (TR4) has been detected on an 11th banana farm in the Tully region of Queensland, Australia. The soil-borne fungus, which cannot be eradicated and can survive in soil for decades, has been present in the Tully River area for over ten years.

Cavendish bananas, which account for more than 97 per cent of Australian banana production, are particularly susceptible to the fungus. While biosecurity measures have contained the spread to the Tully district, the industry is working to prevent it from reaching Innisfail, the country’s largest banana-growing area.

Research is underway to develop resistant varieties through various methods. In 2024, researchers at the Queensland University of Technology received federal approval to commercialize QCAV-4, a genetically modified Cavendish banana. Additionally, North Queensland Banana Research is evaluating 30 to 40 hybrids through conventional crossbreeding in collaboration with the Honduran program FIA. The first resistant Cavendish line is expected to be available by 2028.