Horticulture : Research for Agriculture

Plant clock could be the key to producing more food for the world

A University of Melbourne led study has established how plants use their metabolism to tell time and know when to grow – a discovery that could help leverage growing crops in different environments, including different seasons, different latitudes or even in artificial environments and vertical…

Mar 8, 2021

horticulture, research

Cross your I’s and dot your bees for pollination

Cross-pollination for macadamias has proved critical for maximising yields in a Hort Innovation pollination research and development project. The project team recently finished up analysis on macadamia cross pollination to better understand the implications on nut production and ensuring adequate pollination takes place.

Sep 25, 2020

horticulture, research

Strawberry breeding program delights tastebuds

The winter strawberry season is in full swing.

Aug 10, 2020

horticulture, research

Bright future for plant health research

The future of plant health research in Australia is alive and well with funding for the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) being renewed in 2020, the International Year of Plant Health.

Jul 16, 2020

biosecurity, horticulture, research

Plum pickings: ancient fruit ripe for modern plates

A little-known indigenous fruit, which is one of the earliest-known plant foods eaten in Australia, could be the next big thing in bush foods.

Jun 3, 2020

horticulture, research

Rising temperatures likely to increase damage caused by plant pathogens

New research in Nature Climate Change provides evidence that rising temperatures are likely to increase crop losses as warmer soils favour the growth of pathogenic soil fungi species.

May 13, 2020

environment, horticulture

Queensland_Fruit_Fly_-_Bactrocera_tryoni

Queensland fruit flies have a nose for trouble

A study published in Scientific Reports by Macquarie University Applied BioSciences has revealed that Queensland Fruit Fly (Q-fly) can detect the presence of potential predators by smell. Incredibly the study also found that Q-fly modify their behaviour based upon this detection, adopting predator specific responses.

May 6, 2020

biosecurity, horticulture, research

Plant flammability runs in the family

A large team of researchers from Lincoln University, the University of Auckland, and Auckland University of Technology has shown, in an article* published in the prestigious journal Nature Plants, that the flammability of plant species generally runs in the family.

Apr 16, 2020

horticulture, research

Free resistance testing for aphids

A new research initiative is investigating the geographical distribution of insecticide-resistance in green peach aphid across Australian cropping regions.

Mar 23, 2020

biosecurity, research

Fruit fly management for vegetable growers

Applied Horticultural Research has produced five videos for vegetable growers outlining strategies growers can use to manage fruit flies http://ahr.com.au/pests-and-diseases/fruit-fly-management-for-vegetable-growers-new/ The videos focus on the fruit fly life-cycle, monitoring the population, use of protein baiting, MAT and female traps, barriers and hygiene.

Mar 16, 2020

horticulture

Improving supply chains to achieve higher returns for Queensland horticulture producers

CQUniversity is spearheading an online survey to investigate Queensland horticulture producers’ interest in achieving high product returns by supporting improved supply chains, enabling exports to Asia.

Feb 19, 2020

horticulture, research

Professor Andrew Robson, director of the Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre.

High-tech map shows fruit, macadamia farms hit by bushfires

Amid devastating bushfire activity across Australia, scientists have released a map that shows avocado, mango, olive, banana, macadamia and citrus orchards that have been impacted, to help with response and recovery efforts.

Jan 21, 2020

horticulture