A BETTER understanding of phosphonate fungicide use in avocado can improve crop yields and the business bottom line for northern producers.
The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) has initiated a study with funding from the Atherton Tablelands Avocado Growers Association and Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) into how best to use phosphonate on Shepard avocado, the commercial variety commonly grown in north Queensland.
Senior extension horticulturist Matthew Weinert said similar work on the Hass variety had already taken place in south-east Queensland.
However, the disease control system for Shepard in the north, which has a different life cycle and is grown under wet tropical conditions, needs to be fine-tuned," Mr Weinert said.
Shepard avocados comprise 18 per cent of the total Australian avocado crop with 45 per cent of Australia´s Shepard avocados grown on the Atherton Tablelands, and worth about $15 million dollars to the local economy at the farm gate.
A field day to outline the aims of the project for Atherton Tablelands producers will be held:
Friday 3 February at 3pm
´The Bees Knees´ orchard, Jennings Rd, Mareeba
"Despite more than 30 years research, the fungal disease phytophthora root rot is still the major constraint to improving avocado productivity," Mr Weinert said.
"The disease reduces yields, fruit size, quality and shelf life and makes fruit susceptible to sunburn.
"The heavy monsoonal rains and warm soil conditions make the Atherton Tablelands and Mareeba Dimbulah production areas particularly susceptible to this disease.
"If we can learn more about the Shepard tree´s phenology - its life cycle and climatic influences - we will be able to make more informed decisions on when to apply phosphonate for maximum protection from the disease.
"This will help maintain the effectiveness of phosphonate as a control for Phytophthora root rot, and increase the productivity and profitability of Shepard avocados on the Atherton tablelands."
Jim Kochi, an avocado grower from Tolga and chair of the Avocados Australia, will give an overview and explain the importance of Infocado, the industry crop forecasting system at the meeting.
This internet-based system collects timely information on the volume of avocados entering the Australian market place, allowing individual packhouses and grower packers to make better informed management and marketing decisions.
DEEDI is running the field day in conjunction with the Atherton Tablelands Avocado Growers Association and HAL (Horticulture Australia Ltd). A barbecue and light refreshments will follow the workshop.
For more information and to RSVP for catering purposes, contact DEEDI´s Mareeba Client Services Centre on 4048 4651.
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