High-tech remote sensing and on-ground robots are the latest tools being used to boost tree fruit production in Australia.
The innovative technologies, in tandem with extensive field sampling, will be used to develop improved methods for monitoring tree health, productivity and quality under a research and development project being coordinated by Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation).
The study will be conducted across multiple Australian states and encompass avocado, mango and macadamia orchards, along with banana plantations.
One of the key objectives of the project is to develop a national database identifying the location, area and tree population of orchards and plantations belonging to the participating sectors. The database will integrate satellite image analysis with existing industry and government crop databases, regional surveys and on-ground evaluations.
The first component of the project is a national mapping exercise that will provide the representative bodies of each sector with a more efficient and accurate method for recording industry information.
From this information, a better understanding of grower demographics, including changes in growing area, cultivars used and regional variation in production and quality can be gained, thus supporting improved decision making when it comes to marketing.
This information will also underpin improved biosecurity and post natural disaster response plans.
The second component of the project will be the development of decision-support tools to help growers improve orchard management. It is envisioned these tools will assist with tree-health monitoring, including the early detection of pest and disease outbreaks, traceability, yield forecasting and the evaluating root stock performance.
This initiative has been developed by Andrew Robson from the University of New England’s Precision Agricultural Research Group. It involves a team of researchers, industry partners, grower groups and commercial providers from the University of Queensland, University of Sydney, Central Queensland University, Agtrix, the Queensland State Government, Simpson Farms, Avocados Australia, Australian Macadamia Society and Australian Mango Industry Association.
The three-year project is being co-funded by the Australian Government’s Rural Research andDevelopment for Profit programme and Hort Innovation.
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