The Latest Breaking News from Anne Walters

Sweet potato pest called guava root-knot nematode detected in Australia for first time

An aggressive microscopic pest that stunts plants and causes galls on sweet potatoes has been confirmed in a Top End vegetable farm and several suburban properties, but how it arrived is a mystery.

ABC News · Oct 28, 2022

NT government releases plan to address banana freckle disease outbreak in the Top End

Julie-Ann Murphy and Alan Petersen, whose Northern Territory farm is one of 42 properties the disease has spread to, say the loss of their crop will be devastating.

ABC News · Oct 4, 2022

Northern Territory's banana freckle outbreak grows, affecting 17 properties

The fungal disease, which growers say represents a major threat to Australia's $500m banana industry, has now been found at 16 Top End properties plus a government research facility.

ABC News · Jul 13, 2022