Project Leader: Dr Jens Wunsche, University of Hohenheim, Germany
This project focuses on a major constraint to flowering and production of apples: Biennial bearing, the annual cyclical changes in cropping characterised by “on” and “off” years with “heavy” and “light” fruit loads, respectively. The objectives are to clarify how flowering in apple is inhibited or promoted by changes in gene expression and metabolic signals formed within the plant in response to ontogeny, plant resources, cultural practices and environmental cues.
This is an international project which combines the skills and experiences of researchers in both Australia and Germany to develop new knowledge on key plant processes that regulate flowering in apple.
Vale: Jens Wünsche: The apple and pear industry has lost a passionate and tireless inquisitor and innovator in German researcher Professor Jens Wünsche, University of Hohenheim, who died on 27 January, 2021.
For more in depth research, go to the Research and Statistics page.
Project leader: Dr Nigel Swarts, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
Learn about this project below at Soils.
Project leader: Sally Bound, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
The tree structure project had the aim of improving orchard productivity and optimising fruit quality through improved crop load management and fruit quality. The project investigated the genotypic regulation of fruiting behaviour and compared precision crop load management using artificial spur extinction (ASE) with conventionally managed orchard pruning systems.
ASE is the regulation of bud number and distribution by selectively thinning spurs at winter pruning and is part of the ongoing drive to develop high-density orchard systems.
(This project concluded in 2017)
Email Sally or call her on 03 6226 2958
For more in-depth research, go to the Research and Statistics page or go to the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture website.
Project leader: Dr Ian Goodwin, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) Victoria
The Australian National Pear Breeding Program has developed several new, unique red-blushed pear cultivars with the potential to recapture the fresh pear market. The profitable pears project aims to research and develop orchard management systems to maximise and sustain productivity of high-quality red-blushed pears. The project focused on investigating irrigation techniques, nitrogen use efficiency, root pruning, rootstock performance, planting density and training systems through an experimental orchard at Tatura known as the Profitable Pears SmartFarm.
The Profitable Pears SmartFarm also provides a resource for students, growers and service providers to study and demonstrate technologies and management systems and for scientists to continue research and innovation on red-blushed pears.
(This project concluded in 2018)
Email Ian or call him on 03 5833 5240
Videos for this project are available on the Horticulture Industry Networks Website under the Profitable Pear section.
For more in-depth research, go to the Research and Statistics page.
Irrigation scheduling of pears using Regulated Deficit Irrigation.
For more information, contact Dr Ian Goodwin or call him on 03 5833 5240
For more information, contact Dr Nigel Swarts or call him on 03 6226 2174
Project Leader: David Williams, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR), Agriculture Victoria
The Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) project aims to complete the field release of the imported parasitoid Mastrus ridens in pome fruit orchards in eastern Australian states and to evaluate the effectiveness of M.ridens as a biocontrol agent against codling moth.
Longer term outcomes resulting from successful completion of the project will be that Australian pome fruit growers will be at the forefront of biological and integrated management of codling moth, leading to more sustainable productivity, economic viability and resilience for the industry.
Email David for more information or call him on 03 5833 5222
For more information, go to the Horticulture Industry Networks Website.
Project leader: Dr Nigel Swarts, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
This project will improve the production of consistent, high quality apples through a better understanding of tree nutrient management. This research will build upon findings from PIPS 1 fertigation research to develop strategic decision support (SINATA) for growers on irrigation and nutrient management in major growing regions. This project has characterised the major soil types used for growing apples across South Eastern Australia to guide irrigation and nutrition schedules.
To find out more on the morphology, hydrology, and chemistry of these soils, and how you can use this information in your orchard, go to http://www.applesoils.com
You can also email Nigel, call him on 03 6226 2174, or read more:
For more in-depth research, go to the Research and Statistics page or go to the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture website.
The PIPS pages are in the process of being updated to reflect the new PIPS3 round of projects.
For information on the PIPS3 Program, contact the Independent Coordinator, Marguerite White on [email protected] or 0447 500 415.
