Multifunctional covers are key tools for cherry orchard sustainability
01 May 2023
The adoption of multi-functional covers in orchard systems is widely increasing due to their protective function against biotic and abiotic stressors.
Australian regional updates and vigour management cherry workshop success
This month, we’re shaking things up a little for our state roundups with an on the ground update of the vigour management workshops.
From late February to early March, the extension and communication project welcomed Ronald Vermeulen from the Netherlands to share his knowledge on managing vigour.
Here’s a recap of the workshops held across the states.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian workshop was held at Reid Fruits’ Plenty Orchard and hosted by Sam Smee and the Muir’s team.
Discussions centered on key learning outcomes from the season, including the control of rust mite and alternaria.
Warm conditions led to an early start for growers, making irrigation management crucial for maintaining quality.
After the presentations, growers were divided into two groups and rotated through different orchard sites, including Reid’s nursery, as well as the pergola and double-table canopy systems with Ronald.
1a. Image left: Ronald pruning the pergola system at Reid’s Fruits.
1b. Image right: Andrew Hall from Reid's Fruits giving an industry update at the Tasmanian workshop.
South Australia
The South Australia (SA) workshop was held at Flavell’s Fruit Orchard.
The discussion centred around learning outcomes from the narrow orchard project this season and climate adaptation with Bloom Fresh, and the current dry conditions in SA and the resultant poor water quality.
After the indoor presentations, growers toured the orchard where Darren Graetz and Andy Flavell updated the group on the narrow orchard system demonstration trial.
Following this, Ronald then demonstrated pruning and management on a double tabletop system.
2a. Image left: Narrow orchard system demonstration trial in SA.
2b. Image right: Ronald presenting to SA growers.
Victoria
The Victorian workshop sold out with almost 80 growers attending the day at Agriculture Victoria in Shepparton.
Inside, growers heard presentations from Ronald on vigour management and the pergola system, Cristian Ferrari on protective cover systems and Jess Fearnley-Pattison on the extension and communications project.
Growers were then led by Dr Alessio Scalisi and Dr Ian Goodwin on a tour of the Tatura Smart Farm, looking at different protective cover structures for cherries, including the Valente systems and solar panels.
The group then moved to Montague’s orchard where they were shown the new plantings on site and options for managing vigour on the upright fruiting offshoots (UFO) system.
3a. Image left: Dr Alessio explains Scalision at the new narrow orchard systems trial site at the Tatura Smart Farm.
3b. Image right: Cristian Ferrari from Valente speaks to the Victorian growers about protective covers for cherries.
New South Wales
The workshop tour finished with over 50 growers attending the New South Wales (NSW) workshop in Young.
The workshop was held at the Young Golf Club, where Ronald gave his vigour management presentation and Jess Fearnley-Pattison provided an update on the extension and communications project.
Tim Holley from Muir’s gave a season overview and Clare Bedfield from NSW DPIRD gave an update on the Farms of the Future program.
After lunch, Solferino Cherries hosted an orchard walk with Ronald investigating the management of vase trees using soil moisture probes in the orchard.
4a. Image left: Ronald presenting in Young, NSW.
4b. Image right: Ronald pruning the vase system at Solferino Cherries.
Source: Jessica Fearnley-Pattison / NSW DPIRD, Australia
