Four Centre de coopération International en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) hybrids demonstrated good resistance to yellow Sigatoka leaf disease, but they did not measure up on their other agronomic characteristics being considerably taller and much lower yielding than Williams Cavendish. Seventeen Cavendish lines were assessed for resistance, but none were any better than Williams. All were rated as very susceptible to yellow Sigatoka.

The next phase of the work has begun with a field walk at South Johnstone Research Facility held in October for selected grower and supply chain representatives. Attendees had the opportunity to see ratoon bunches on some of the better selections and to taste fruit of those selections. Their input was sought to help guide future development of the select lines through the pre-commercialisation trial phase.

During this reporting period, an article was published in Australian Bananas (page 18-19) that outlines the varieties showing resistance to TR4 in Northern Territories trials: Click here to read.