Research update

f LEFT: Harvest assessment of salt tolerant rootstock trial. ABOVE: New staff member Elbe Coetsee harvesting navels from remote imaging trial. Yield from 18 individual trees is measured and compared to estimate from satellite image.

BY BRONWYN WALSH1 AND ELBE COETSEE2 1 INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER 2 INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

The WA Citrus RD&E team have been very busy assessing and harvesting trials since June. In all at a recent catchup the team covered off on eight separate citrus research activities going on in the State.

New this year we are investigating whether using frost fans could cause additional damage to fruit and also excitingly, an Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) project has been contracted. This will provide the resources to look in more detail at pests and their management in WA citrus orchards. One of the first activities we are planning is a farm walk in autumn 2022. We’d like the farm walk to be as useful and as relevant as possible, we know this is a hot topic for many growers, experienced and new.

Growers are asked to please send in photos of pests and damage you’re seeing in your orchard and your questions about pest management issues. Please send your photos and questions to Rachelle at Rachelle.johnstone@dpird.wa.gov.au so they can be included in the planning for the field walk in autumn. Other research activities: • The last harvests for the satellite imaging trial, investigating the use of satellite images for yield predictions. • First harvest of canopy management of Afourer mandarins to smooth out yield from season to season.

• Last harvest of the salt tolerant and Chinese rootstock establishment project. • Last harvest of the variety evaluation project. • First harvest of the potential of protected cropping for citrus crops using net and • Second harvest of One of the first activities we are planning is a farm walk before the end of the year. investigating products for albedo breakdown management with navels. MORE INFORMATION These research activities are funded either through national Hort Innovation projects, with funding from national levy funds and federal government and research agencies or state government funds and WA Citrus fee-for-service. Contact Bronwyn on 0400 873 875 or email industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au.