A TULLY region banana grower has given a "heads up" to other producers in the area suffering from leaf speckle to consider their soil's silica levels.
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Naomi Brownrigg, a second-generation farmer from Sellars' Bananas, Mission Beach, said occurences of leaf speckle prompted her to look more closely at what might be happening.
Despite having good control over another disease, Yellow Sigatoka, Sellers' Bananas struggled to control leaf speckle.
She engaged agronomist, Shane Fitzgerald, who discovered the farm's soil was low in silica, a crucial element for healthy banana growth.
Similar issues were observed in other farms with the same soil type.
Having determined a connection between the soil's silica levels and the disease, Mrs Brownrigg applied the product, MaxSil, known for its high plant-available silica content.
It was initially applied every four years, and whenever the problem resurfaced, in order to boost the soil's silica levels again.
"If you only pay attention to your NPK, calcium, and magnesium, you'll grow a big bunch for sure, but it doesn't mean you'll grow a quality bunch," Ms Brownrigg said.
"And sometimes I think, what a waste? We just threw half of it out."
Since then, the family has achieved considerable gains in both banana quality and soil health.
After applying MaxSil, the farm began producing ">bigger bunches of healthier bananas with improved shape, and firmer fruit, on plants less likely to lodge.
The straighter-produced fruit also led to less damage and reduced the amount that previously had to be discarded.
"If you can reduce the waste factor, it's a really big thing. People we're trying to sell the fruit to, they're after the best quality fruit that they can get their hands on," Ms Brownrigg said.
"We're trying to provide that consistent fruit every week of the year.
"I think MaxSil is a part of that journey for us and helps us achieve this quality standard that we're after."
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