2017 QAAFI 3MT: Time to inspire

A new QAAFI-developed intelligent crop modelling tool is helping researchers identify how improved plant growth efficiency will translate into better yields.

In March 2015, a banana farm in Tully in Far North Queensland went into lockdown. Harvesting of fruit was stopped and movement of plant material, soil, equipment, vehicles and people on and off the farm were restricted. More than 16,000 banana plants were destroyed. This sudden rush of activity was in response to the detection of a fungus called fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4), which triggered state and national emergency plant pest response arrangements.