A $5 million federal government grant will help increase the nation’s nut production capacity according to its recipient, Horticulture Innovation Australia.
The funding adds to $9.8 million from Hort Innovation, the Almond Board of Australia and the South Australian, Victoria and New South Wales governments to facilitate a four-year program to foster higher density, shorter nut trees, with high, quality yields.
Hort Innovation CEO John Lloyd said the organisation worked closely with industry on the project scope, which involves advanced water and nutrient management techniques, applied through trials on almond and walnut crops.
“It’s a big boost for the Australian nut growers who will benefit from the time and cost efficiencies that arise through this project, and increased sustainability for the industry as a whole.
“There will also be positive flow-on effects to local nut consumers and the potential for an increased Australian nut presence in world trade export markets.”
Lloyd also said the project will investigate crop production techniques – from the beginning of the crop planting process, through to production to harvesting with economic modelling and continuous communication to industry.
Key areas of research will include:
- Identification of the ideal soil in which to establish a crop
- Improved water and fertiliser regimes
- Advanced tree architecture for light interception as a function of tree density
- Orchard floor and husk waste management technologies
- Efficiency of ‘shake and catch’ harvesting technologies, and possible alternatives
- Climate change risk and reduced impacts of extreme weather events
- Establishment and demonstration of the research with ultra-high density plantings of all temperate nut crops.
