September 29, 2025 | ABC News |
Mango twig tip dieback (MTTD), a fungal disease first detected in Darwin in 2017, is devastating mango orchards in the Northern Territory and costing the industry about $7 million annually. The disease begins with lesions on twigs, spreading to leaves and branches, and can eventually kill entire trees. Kensington Pride mango orchards have been particularly hard-hit, with up to 90 percent affected, leaving many growers struggling.
In Western Australia’s far north, growers are on high alert as the picking season nears. Steve Angel, WA’s largest mango producer with 120,000 trees near Kununurra, has implemented strict biosecurity measures, including disinfecting footwear and sterilising machinery, to protect his orchards. Despite precautions, he acknowledged growers cannot fully control potential spread due to frequent interstate movement.
The disease is linked to fungi Lasiodiplodia and Neofusicoccum, which become harmful under stress conditions such as extreme heat. Researchers in the NT are conducting field trials, while state and federal authorities have enforced strict controls on plant and fruit movement. WA’s Department of Primary Industries continues to stress hygiene and certified plant material use. Although no cure exists yet, ongoing research aims to safeguard the mango industry’s long-term viability.
