A new research program will evaluate how different agronomic practices influence drought tolerance for NSW winegrape, apple and cherry producers
Charles Sturt University is leading a new five-year research program to help New South Wales winegrape, apple and cherry producers strengthen their resilience to drought.
The aim is to ensure research findings translate into tangible benefits for growers on the ground, so they can use these in day-to-day orchard and vineyard practices.
The project will develop and test new agronomic management practices by undertaking long-term trials at Batlow commercial apple orchard and a Gulgong cherry orchard.
Additional demonstration sites across the Central West, southern NSW, and Tasmania will ensure a diversity of horticultural production systems in winegrape, apple and cherry.
Sites will test a combination of researcher designed and grower suggested treatments to evaluate how different practices influence drought tolerance and productivity over time.
Growers from each region will be involved in the project contributing to the trial’s design, treatment selection, refinement, and on ground implementation this autumn and winter.
Long term trials will capture the seasonal cycle of perennial crops, giving growers detailed insights into how different management approaches perform under real world conditions.
NSW Department Primary Industries and Regional Development will also work with the host growers to identify a tool kit of management strategies such as soil amendments, deficit irrigation and the implementation of modern technology including soil moisture probes, to help improve orchard resilience to extreme weather events.
“We are seeing increased frequencies of drought, and we need to develop solutions which enable farmers and industry to do more with less water,” Charles Sturt University vice-chancellor Renée Leon says.
“This project is about improving the ability of horticulturalists to make better use of limited rainfall, developing smarter agricultural technologies and building cross-industry collaborations.”
Research findings will enable farmers to access information through workshops, factsheets, orchard walks, and the ‘Best Practice Drought Management’ training manual.
