Northern Territory Farmers Association (NT Farmers), Media Release, 3 June 2022
Banana freckle has been detected at a rural residential property in the Northern Territory’s Top End. Banana freckle is a fungal disease of banana leaves and fruit. There is no risk to human health from eating affected bananas. Banana freckle is a serious threat to the industry. It decreases plant health and productivity by reducing the amount of healthy leaf area, and affects fruit quality and appearance.
The signs of banana freckle include:
- A sandpaper like texture on leaves and fruit. This is caused by the pest sticking up through the surface of the leaf or skin.
- Spotting may extend to the flower bracts, leaf midrib and bunch stalks.
- Fruit are infected, causing blemishes. This increases as the fruit matures.
- Large areas of the fruit’s surface may become black due to dense spotting.
Banana freckle is an emergency plant pest. If you suspect plants may be affected, you must report it. You can do this by phoning the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
