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.
Category: Horticulture
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Raising plants to withstand climate change
Success with improving a model plant’s response to harsh conditions is leading plant molecular researchers to move to food crops including wheat, barley, rice and chickpeas.
Why plants panic when it rains
An international team of scientists involving The University of Western Australia’s School of Molecular Sciences, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology and Lund University has made the surprising discovery that a plant’s reaction to rain is close to one of panic.
Genetics aid kiwifruit gender reveal parties
Since only female kiwifruit produce fruit, horticulturists have been looking for ways to find out whether their plant babies are boys or girls – but usually this relies on waiting for them to grow up.
$10M funding injection to support the eradication of Qfly
Australian research into sterile insect technology has been strengthened through a $10 million collaborative project managed by Hort Innovation, with significant cash contributions by Western Sydney University (WSU) and the Government of South Australia.