Game-changing technology set to strengthen Banana Industry’s biosecurity defences

A cutting-edge diagnostic tool set to revolutionise Australia’s banana industry is in development through a new project co-funded by Hort Innovation, scientists and growers.  

The project will run for 18 months and aims to create the Banana MultiPath-BMP system - an innovative technology designed to identify and respond to disease threats, detecting up to 12 banana pathogens in a single, affordable test. 

Funded by Hort Innovation Frontiers, Genics – leaders in smart pathogen detection - and the Hort Innovation Banana research and development levy, this breakthrough approach promises to deliver real-time insights that empower growers to make informed decisions, reduce disease risk, and maximise yield. 

Brett Fifield, CEO at Hort Innovation shared how this is a game changer for the industry: “Banana growers across Australia face ongoing challenges from a range of harmful pathogens that can devastate crops, reduce production, and pose serious biosecurity risks. With threats expected to grow in the coming years, the need for fast, accurate, and cost-effective detection tools has never been greater.” 

“By combining the latest global research with Australian-specific conditions, the Banana MultiPath-BMP system will offer a level of sensitivity and accuracy better than current PCR testing - at a fraction of the cost.” 

“This is about future-proofing the industry. It’s a smart, scalable solution that puts Australian growers ahead of the curve and positions our sector as a global leader in biosecurity innovation. It could also make the day-to-day of Australian growers more productive by transitioning away from single-target PCR tests, reducing cost and complexity,” concluded Fifield.  

Developed by Genics, the Banana MultiPath-BMP system will build on the organisation’s proven MultiPath™ platform, already delivering results in aquaculture and agriculture industries across more than 50 countries. It will be built using advanced genetic analysis and validated through rigorous proficiency testing and validation across multiple growing regions and pathogen loads, ensuring it meets the highest standards for reliability and performance.  

“The Banana MultiPath-BMP system is a direct response to what growers have told us they need — faster, smarter tools that catch problems before they spread,” said Dr Melony Sellars, CEO at Genics. 

“By bringing together world-class genomic science and industry collaboration, this project has the potential to shift the dial on banana disease management in Australia.” 

“We’re proud to be working with Hort Innovation to co-create solutions that not only safeguard crops and livelihoods but also set new benchmarks for horticulture diagnostics globally,” concluded Dr Sellars.  

Looking to the future, the project has the potential to enhance Australia’s broader biosecurity framework. By enabling early detection and intervention, it could support emergency response readiness and even contribute to national surveillance efforts for exotic pathogens. 

The project is currently in its early stages, with stakeholder engagement underway. Hort Innovation will continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure the technology meets real-world needs and delivers lasting impact.