Fruit Science Commons^™

Detection Of Phosphite Fungicide In Persea Americana Fruits Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Nmr) Spectroscopy At 400 And 80 Mhz, Andres Bernal, Yimin Wang, Philipp Nitschke, Samuele Sala, Rance Kwamen, Andrea Steck, Birk Schuetz, Dario Stefanelli, Henry Brockman, Julien Wist, Jeremy K. Nicholson, Rueyleng Loo

Horticulture Research Articles

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is widely adopted for assessing biochemical composition in agriculture. This study evaluated the feasibility of 400 MHz NMR to detect biochemical differences in Hass avocados grown under conventional (N = 101) and regenerative (N = 105) farming practices in Southwestern Australia. Phosphite, associated with Phytophthora root rot management, was a key discriminating feature (area under ROC curve = 0.96), being detected in 90% of conventional avocados (mean: 49 mg/kg) and 6 regenerative samples (mean: 24 mg/kg). To assess translational potential, water extracts of five samples were analyzed using 80 MHz benchtop NMR. Phosphite was detectable …

Using Preliminary Consumer Insight To Enhance The Perceived Quality Of A New Apple Cultivar (Malus Domestica Borkh. Cv. Anabp 01) With A View To Maximizing Crop Utilisation, Kristen Kennison, Steele Jacob, Karyn Reeves, Kevin Lacey, Dario Stefanelli

Horticulture Research Articles

The visual appearance of a new apple cultivar is of foremost importance for consumer attraction and fruit purchase. A new Australian apple (“ANABP 01”) has a unique burgundy colored skin which can range from red to dark burgundy during fruit maturation. This study investigates consumer likability and purchase of “ANABP 01” apples with similar eating quality characteristics with four different skin colors being Red, Light Burgundy (LB), Burgundy (B) and Dark Burgundy (DB). During testing, panelists liked all classes of apple colors, giving high scores for their visual, textural and flavor characteristics. Panelists rated the color of B and DB …

Citrus Fruits Maturity Parameters 2025-2026, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Viticulture research reports

Under Biosecurity and Agricultural Management (Agricultural Standards) Regulations 2013 Part 5.

Citrus Gall Wasp Control, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Citrus gall wasp (Bruchophagus fellis) is an Australian native insect from northern NSW and Queensland and is now established in most Perth suburbs. It affects all citrus species, particularly lemons and grapefruit, and will be an ongoing pest to manage for Perth gardeners, like other common pests. It has not been found in commercial citrus orchards in Western Australia yet.

Value Of Horticulture Industries In Western Australia 2022-2023, Manju Radhakrishnan, Rohan Prince

Horticulture published reports

The horticulture sector in Western Australia (WA) produces high quality fruit, vegetables, nuts and amenity horticulture. Western Australians benefit from consuming this steady supply of diverse, affordable and sustainably grown fresh fruit and vegetables. Amenity horticulture, in the form of parks and gardens, adds a great richness to the quality of life in WA.

It is estimated that WA produced $1.75 billion worth of fruit, vegetables, nuts and amenity horticulture in 2022–23. The real value1 of production at the wholesale level increased by 4% when compared to the 2020 figures presented in the report, Situation analysis of horticulture in Western …

Narrow Orchard Systems For Pome And Stone Fruit - A Review, Alessio Scalisi, Mark G. O'Connell, Dario Stefanelli, Shuangxi Zhou, Tim Pitt, Darren Graetz, Kevin Dodds, Liqi Han, Roberta De Bei, Jill Stanley, Ken Breen, Ian Goodwin

Horticulture Research Articles

The main characteristics of Narrow Orchard Systems (NOS) are (i) narrow canopies, with (ii) multiple closely-spaced upright leaders and (iii) narrow inter-rows, regardless of tree spacing within the row. In NOS, planting density can be reduced compared with super-high and ultra-high density planting systems on dwarfing rootstocks, utilising a wider range of rootstock vigours coupled to proportional increases in both within-row tree spacing and upright leader number per tree. This paper reviews the development of NOS and results of research carried out on apple, pear, sweet cherry, peach, nectarine, apricot and plum in production regions worldwide. The history of orchard …

Lure Specificity, Phenology, And Damage Caused By Epiphyas Moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) In Western Australian Apple Orchards, Maryam Yazdani, Elliot T. Howse, Wee Tek Tay, Helen Spafford, Rieks Van Klinken

Horticulture Research Articles

Multiple Epiphyas species inhabit southwestern Western Australia, including Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a globally significant, polyphagous pest. This study evaluated the efficacy and specificity of lures designed for 3 Epiphyas species: E. postvittana, Epiphyas pulla (Turner), and the undescribed Epiphyas sp. (1) (Common). Additionally, the study sought to determine the presence and distribution of Epiphyas species in 3 significant apple-growing localities. Trapping, together with partial sequencing of the mitochondrial COI gene, found LBAM to be restricted to the Perth Hills and E. pulla, to apple orchards near Manjimup and Pemberton. This geographic …

Harvesting, Packing And Storing Bananas In The Oria (Ord River Irrigation Area), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Horticulture factsheets

For bananas on the Ord River Irrigation Area, length of time to emergence and harvesting depend on air temperature, planting time and sucker management. Ratoon crops are much slower to reach maturity than new crops.

Field Evaluation Of Female- And Male-Targeted Traps For Ceratitis Capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), Elliot T. Howse, Rieks Van Klinken, Nicholas J. Beeton, Helen Spafford, Kim P. James, Matthew P. Hill

Horticulture Research Articles

Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a globally significant economic pest for which lure based trapping can be used to monitor established populations and for surveillance. Either female- or male-targeted traps can be used; however, recommendations on which to apply are inconsistent and many programs rely on male-targeted traps. Here, we compare the performance of male-targeted traps (Lynfield Trap with Trimedlure) and female-targeted traps (Biotrap Globe trap with the 3-component lure—TMA Plus) in apple orchards in south-west Western Australia over 2 years (September 2019 to September 2021). Male-targeted traps caught more Medflies overall than female-targeted traps, …

Localised And Tree Total Crop Loads Influence Trunk Growth, Return Fruit Set, Yield, And Fruit Quality In Apples, Alessio Scalisi, Tim Plozza, Priyanka Reddy, Madeleine Peavey, Lexie Mcclymont, Simone Rochfort, Dario Stefanelli, Ian Goodwin

Horticulture Research Articles

Localised fruit thinning strategies must be investigated to improve precision crop load management in narrow-canopy, multileader apple trees. This study aimed to determine the effects of within-leader and tree total crop load on leaders’ and trunk’s growth, fruit set, yield, and fruit quality in ‘Ruby Matilda’ apples (marketed as Pink Lady®) over three years. Different crop loads were imposed on two leaders (primary and secondary) of bi-axis trees. Leader and trunk relative growth rate, return fruit set, yield, and fruit quality parameters at harvest were measured. High within-leader crop loads led to a significant increase in yield and reductions in …

A Spatio-Temporal Modelling Approach To Understand The Effect Of Urban Fruit Fly Outbreaks On Peri-Urban Orchards, Andrew Broadley, Rieks Van Klinken, Dean R. Paini, Matthew Hill, Elliot T. Howse

Horticulture Research Articles

Urban areas are well-known sources of fruit fly introduction and unmanaged populations pose a high risk of dispersal to surrounding agricultural areas. Although management of urban fruit fly populations is recognised as being important for area-wide control programmes, its relative importance is rarely quantified. Identifying possible sources of fruit fly populations is important to the success of area-wide programs, as well as to on-farm management. We developed a modelling approach to analyse the spatio-temporal connectivity of fruit fly across urban-agriculture boundaries. For a case study, we examine Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, outbreaks in two fruit growing …

Propagation Of Bananas, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Horticulture factsheets

Tissue culture is the best method for propagating bananas. It ensures they are true to type and free from pests and diseases.

Check with Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development quarantine officer before bringing tissue culture material into Western Australia.

However, planting with bits is cheap and guarantees that new diseases are not introduced.

Banana Management In The Ord River Irrigation Area (Oria), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Horticulture factsheets

The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) is suitable for growing bananas. However, due to the local climate, management is slightly different to other Western Australian growing regions such as Carnarvon.

There are many considerations when planning to establish a banana plantation. A summary of these practices is given below. For more specific information on each practice see the other documents in this series.

Australian National Mango Breeding Program, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Horticulture factsheets

The Australian National Mango Breeding Program was initiated in 1994 between four state, territory and federal agricultural organisations.

The first outputs are three new hybrid mango varieties, known as NMBP-1201, NMBP- 1243 and NMBP-4069. In 2022 Mango Road Pty Ltd (part of the Manbulloo Group) was awarded the management rights for the NMBP mango varieties.

They were renamed Yess! (NMBP 1243), Ahhh! (NMBP-1201) and Gee! (NMBP-4069).

The Australian National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP) was initiated in 1994. The project was a collaboration between agricultural agencies in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and CSIRO.

The purpose was to develop superior …

Primary Industries Development Research Highlights 2021, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Tim Scanlon

Books & book chapters

The Primary Industries Development Research Highlights 2021 showcases the breadth and depth of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s research and development activities over the past several years.

Stories featured in Research Highlights 2021 stem from about 60 (of 140) current and recently-completed projects undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) 1100 scientists, technical experts and economists throughout the State.

Explore our Research Highlights 2021.

The publication demonstrates the innovative and applicable research that DPIRD and its collaborators and investment partners deliver to Western Australia.

Download the Research Highlights 2021 here. Alternatively, …

Citrus Pruning, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Horticulture factsheets

Pruning is the cultural practice involving the removal of tree branches and limbs designed to enhance the performance and productivity of trees.

Ideally this is best done after harvest to prevent unwanted fruit loss. With citrus, correct pruning can improve yields, fruit quality, and make managing trees easier.

The Survival Of Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Over Winter In Western Australia, Touhidur Rahman, Sonya Broughton

Biosecurity Research Articles

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most economically important pest insects of fruit crops worldwide. Mediterranean fruit fly can cause up to 100% crop loss in susceptible fruit. In order to formulate best management practices, it is critical to understand how Mediterranean fruit fly overwinters in a given geographical location and bridge the gap between autumn and spring populations. In this study, we evaluated the overwintering potential of Mediterranean fruit fly immature and adult stages in two locations in Perth Hills, Western Australia. We also monitored wild adult Mediterranean fruit fly populations for …

Propagating Jujubes, Rachelle Johnstone

Research Reports

Jujubes can be propagated by various methods such as wedge/cleft grafting, whip grafting and bark grafting as well as budding. Local propagators have better success with budding but find that wedge grafting leads to a stronger tree. Most of the latest research into propagation is in micropropagation and tissue culture however this technique is mainly used for research and breeding new cultivars and not in a commercial capacity. Grafting can be more of an art than a science. Much of the success of grafting depends on not only performing a technically correct graft but performing the graft at the proper …

Growing Jujubes In Western Australia, Rachelle Johnstone

Research Reports

The Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is one of the most important fruit crops in China and has been commonly used as a traditional Chinese medicine and food for thousands of years. The jujube is widely grown in China with cultivation records going back more than 3000 years and can also be found in neighbouring countries. The jujube is a medium-sized tree, growing 7–10 metres high. The tree has shiny deciduous foliage and produces a fruit that is known as a drupe. The fruit varies in size depending on the cultivar, and it has a thin, dark red skin surrounding …

Selections Of The Houghton Clones Of Cabernet Sauvignon, Glynn Ward, Ian Cameron, Richard Fennessy

Bulletins 4000 -

Cabernet Sauvignon is the premium red wine grape variety grown in Western Australia. The high quality wines produced have won prestigious awards and accolades nationally and internationally. The first clonal selection of Cabernet Sauvignon in Western Australia was conducted by the Department of Agriculture at the Houghton Vineyard in the Swan Valley from 1968 to 1970. The objective was yield improvement, vine health and fruit flavour. Twenty-one high performing vines were identified from vines planted in Houghton Vineyard in the 1950s as cuttings sourced from vines planted in the 1930s. These high performing vines became known as the ‘Houghton clones’. …

Food, Fibre And Flowers, Fuelling The Economy With Innovation And Science, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Horticulture published reports

The Department of Agriculture and Food is a world leader in the rapidly growing field of agri-food and fibre research and development, providing significant benefits for Westen Australian producers, the food industry sector and consumers.

The development of value-added products through innovation and science, which deliver real opportunities for the State's agri-food export capacity, is also important.

Seven examples of the Department's science and innovation.

Plan To Support Horticulture Industry Development 2009-2012, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Horticulture published reports

The Plan to Support Horticulture Industry Development ('the Plan') recognises that healthy and profitable Western Australian agricultural industries are integral to the economic wellbeing of regional and rural communities. The Plan promotes a progressive and productive horticultural industry through efficient use of natural resources, high standards of biosecurity, modern marketing, value-adding and research to enhance continuous improvement throughout the supply chain from producer to consumer.

Plan To Support Horticulture Industry Development 2009 - 2012 - For Discussion, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Horticulture published reports

The State Government's increased investment in agriculture and food recognises the integral contribution this sector makes to the economy of Western Australia.

It is a key industry which will support Western Australia's growth beyond periods of boom and through the economic rebuilding phase ahead. Ensuring the State remains highly competitive in both domestic and international markets is vital to the future of our economy

Public funds must be 'money well spent'. This means ensuring the right direction, efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture and Food's programs. The department must focus its efforts on economic development - this is …

Pomegranates - New Woolbelt Opportunities, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Horticulture published reports

The capture of fresh surface water has the potential to open up areas of the 'woolbelt' of Western Australia to intensive agricultural industries.

In 2005-06 the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) investigated surface run-off in the medium rainfall zone (500-825 mm) of south-western Australia. It aimed to identify areas with sufficient freshwater resources and suitable land for intensive production.

The scoping study, based on broad scale modelling and land-soil capability assessment, found that there was some potential to develop large reliable water supplies to support perennial horticulture.

Innovation, Research And Development, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

All other publications

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia proudly plays a vital role In lhe strategic planning, production and marketing of the State's food and fibre industries. via three main criteria.

Innovation

Research

Development

The following are some recent examples of the department's many innovative R&D programs that are showcasing our scientific and technological breakthroughs on the world stage.

Australian Temperate Strawberry Breeding Program (Albany Western Australia) Screening Of Advance And New Selections For Albany Western Australia - 2006/2007, Shane Trainer, Dennis Phillips, Hal

Horticulture research reports

Fourteen intermediate day neutral selections from the Australian temperate breeding program were compared in a June trial planting on a commercial property in the Albany region. Intermediate selections were derived from crosses made between 1999 and 2002. Three advanced 'short day' selections were compared for yield, both as trial plots (10 plants) and as large plot demonstrations of up to 500 plants. Accompanying these selections, six named day neutral, three short day and four Queensland cultivars of different runner origins were compared. Camarosa, Selva and Diamante were included as commercial controls.

Day neutral selections 02-083-24 and 02-83-311 were potentially superior …

Growing Olives In Western Australia, Richard Taylor, John Burt

Bulletins 4000 -

There are about 9 million hectares of olives in the world, with the largest areas in Spain, Italy, Greece and Tunisia. Olives are grown between the latitudes of 30° and 45° from the equator. In Australia, the main producing areas are between latitudes 31° and 38°S. Production in Western Australia ranges from Chapman Valley, Northampton (29.5°S), to Albany (34.5°S). Olive production has increased markedly in Australia in the past ten years with a large increase in managed investment scheme olive groves. The Moore River region of the Shire of Gingin accounts for over 70 per cent of olive trees and …

Organic Mangoes A Production Guide, Steven Mccoy

Bulletins 4000 -

Mangoes have been identified as a prospective crop for conversion to organic production, particularly at Kununurra in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

Mangoes can also perform well under organic systems in other regions of WA, however variations in pest and disease pressures may require additional attention to these problems.

Organic Apples A Production Guide, Steven Mccoy

Bulletins 4000 -

The belief among some conventional apple growers that it is not possible to reliably produce profitable yields of good quality apples under an organic system in Western Australia is being reconsidered. There are now very good examples of successful commercial organic apple orchards in many parts of the world, including WA. The organic production systems developed by these dedicated growers are showing that yields and quality are comparable to conventional systems.

Returns To Research And Development Investment Of The Department Of Agriculture And Food Western Australia : Benefit Cost Analysis, 2006-2007, Peter Coyle, Editor, Roslyn Blanchard, Francis Bright, Paul Mattingley, Manju Radhakrishnan

Bulletins 4000 -

Strategic decision making is enhanced by the consideration of benefit cost analyses of many projects. Each year a selection of projects is evaluated to assist in the determination of the most appropriate allocation of funds. This is only one of the methods that are employed by the Department’s Executive to increase market competitiveness and profitability in agriculture and the pastoral industries. This report includes both ex post and ex ante analyses, as they are complementary processes.