The Fusarium wilt Integrated Risk Tool is an Excel-based decision-support tool designed to help advisers, researchers, extension officers and organisations assess farm-level Fusarium wilt risk with banana growers. The tool guides users through key risk factors, including disease presence, farm location, biosecurity, planting material, soil and water movement, crop management, resistant varieties and long-term management commitment. It supports structured discussion, risk assessment and management planning under different Fusarium wilt scenarios. Users can also generate and print a summary report that records the assessment results and identifies priority areas for managing Fusarium wilt risk.
The User Guide for the Fusarium wilt Integrated Risk Tool explains how to use the Excel tool, interpret results and apply the outputs in advisory or extension settings. It supports consistent use of the tool by advisers, researchers, project teams and organisations working with banana growers.
The ACIAR Monograph 223, Fusarium wilt of bananas: An integrated disease management manual provides broader guidance on understanding, assessing and managing Fusarium wilt in banana production systems.
The manual is divided into four main sections:
• an introduction to bananas and Fusarium wilt,
• integrated Fusarium wilt management
• the Fusarium wilt Integrated Risk Tool and
• case studies of banana growers facing different Fusarium wilt scenarios.
The manual is organised around scenario-based disease management where the disease can be considered: no threat, threat, incursion or widespread which govern the six integrated management principles: prevention, protection, inoculum reduction, resistance, commitment and location.
Together, these resources are designed to help growers, advisers and project teams move beyond single-solution responses and consider Fusarium wilt as a long-term production system challenge. They support evidence-informed decision-making, practical advisory services and integrated management planning for smallholder and commercial banana production systems.
For more information or support using the Fusarium wilt Integrated Risk Tools, contact Dr Tony Pattison.
