Growers and plant scientists are working together on a $41M tree crop program to accelerate the development of new almond, apple, citrus, macadamia and mango varieties.

The project aims to develop smaller, high-density orchards for higher yield and supported by automation to reduce the pressures caused by labour shortages. 

The new varieties will also feature highly desirable traits such as better storage and quality, higher nutritional content and climate resilience for sustainably-produced Australian-grown fruit and nuts.  

Delivered through Hort Innovation’s Frontiers investment program, the five-year initiative is led by a collaboration between QUT, Murdoch University, University of Queensland (UQ) and Western Sydney University (WSU). 

Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said this investment would prepare tree crop industries for a more productive and profitable future. 

“Equipping plant breeders with the tools they need to develop genetics for the next generation of orchards will support the horticulture industry to enhance resilience to climate change and diseases, find efficiencies through the adoption of automation technologies, and increase productivity,” Mr Fifield said. 

“In the long-term, this program will enable the development of new varieties of almond, apple, citrus, macadamia and mango to ensure their long-term viability and global competitiveness.”  

The program builds on more than five years of researching tree genomics and crop physiology to enhance orchard production systems and develop new tree crop varieties in collaboration with national levy and publicly funded breeding programs. This work has paved the way towards equipping breeders with new genetic knowledge and tools to assist them in delivering new varieties with beneficial traits.

Macadamia Industry Variety Improvement Committee chair Lindsay Bryen said it is essential for industry to have access to productive and profitable varieties.

“As we move into the next generation of orchards, we need access to varieties that are designed for the latest production techniques and automation options, including having a small tree structure and high yields with sound commercial production and improved pest resistance,” Mr Bryen said. 

“Growers are focused on delivering consumers with what they are looking for in the most efficient way we can, maximising productivity and reducing costs.” 

QUT program director Professor Peter Prentis said the program has a focus on maximising resources. 

“To maximise space and resources in next generation orchards, this program will focus on the development of smaller, less vigorous tree varieties planted at higher densities,” Professor Prentis said.

“These smaller, high-density orchards will maximise yield per unit area and support the implementation of automated management tools that will help growers improve their productivity at reduced costs.”  

“The research will then flow directly to active breeding programs that can use this knowledge and these tools to assist them in accelerating the development of new fruit and nut varieties for Australian producers.” 

Additional collaborators in this program include the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland), Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Western Australia), Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (Northern Territory), New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia and AbacusBio – New Zealand.