The Black Stuff
1300 082 011
Trial of The Black Stuff
in controlling Tropical Race 1 (TR1)
in plantains
Summary: The Black Stuff is effective in controlling TR1
Background
Fusarium Wilt, Tropical Race 1, banana disease has caused widespread farm losses on banana farms. Local banana farmer, Matt Dunne, had “dirty” soil; ie TR1 had been affecting prior banana plantings.
Objective
To test whether The Black Stuff controlled TR1 and the best application rate to achieve control.
Data
Grower: Matt Dunne
Crop: Plantains – Pacific
Ducasse (small #)
Location: East Palmerson, QLD
Control: Treated with Syngenta Product
Method
January 2021: Approximately 2 m3 of The Black Stuff spread on the rows with a belt spreader.
Two rows of approximately 150 plants per row planted in “dirty” soil, with standard spacings.
Control treated with a Syngenta product formulated to control Tropical Race pathogen.
November 2022: All plants health and no signs of TR1. No plant losses. Control the same.
July 2023: Full bunches. All plants healthy and no signs of TR1.
April 2024: Full bunches. All plants healthy and no signs of TR1.
Control: 10% of plants clearly affected by Tropical Race. Expect that balance of Control plants will become infected over the next 6 months.
Results
No signs of TR1 in trial area.
Yields maintained. Plantains high quality.
May 2024 only 10% of Control have survived.
Conclusion
No TR1 disease found in the trial plantain crop.
The Black Stuff is effective in the control of TR1 in Plantains and Ducasse.
The data found that 3 m3/H application rate was highly effective for Tropical Race 1 control
Surrounding areas remained TR1 affected.