What is it all about?

This project aims to develop a cost-effective, highly sensitive diagnostic tool, Banana MultiPath-BMP, to detect up to 15 banana pathogens with accuracy equal to or better than real-time PCR. Designed with Australian industry needs as the top priority, the system will incorporate the latest global and local genetic insights to support early detection, cropping-stage monitoring, and biosecurity intervention. The tool will be commercially available at an affordable per-test price and adaptable for international use, strengthening Australia’s biosecurity frameworks and enabling national surveillance of exotic threats. 

For growers, the BMP system offers a practical solution to mitigate crop losses and biosecurity risks by enabling very early detection of endemic, reportable, and exotic pathogens. The project will engage stakeholders to finalise target pathogens, build and validate the diagnostic system, and deliver it as an ongoing national and international service. 

Access to the DPI herbarium disease samples for multiplex diagnostics panel development was funded through a separate project BY24003 taxonomic services (BA25004).