Goulburn Valley and Southern Vic seasonal update and ACOGs
NewsSeason to date
Rainfall across Victoria has been well above median values to date which saw delays for a few new plantings and challenging conditions for early pest/disease control. After a large crop in the previous harvest season, some blocks are carrying lower fruit numbers than at the same time last year, however, tree vigour is generally under control in both apples and pears. Granny Smith blocks are tending to be relatively “on” and sizing well to date.
Cooler conditions extended into spring and degree day accumulation is significantly lower than last year for the early season growing period. This may present some challenges for fruit size and internal disorders however, initial fruit size is progressing well, assisted by a number of blocks thinning down well in early spring. Hand thinning is well underway in both the northern and southern growing regions with most growers reporting a clean crop despite the challenging weather conditions, however, there has been some hail damage observed.
Labour availability is presenting a significant challenge this year and is likely to intensify as harvest approaches. Plan now for potential strategies to reduce labour demand at peak times; for some ideas see this decision tree produced last year as part of the Future Orchards program.
Whilst there is a clear challenge ahead, good early season vigour control and early thinning results are setting up well for a high-quality crop.
Victorian ACOG updates
The active Community Orchard Groups (ACOGs) have now met in both Northern and Southern Victoria and have both elected to undertake a more traditional trial, aiming to assess the effects of different growing techniques on Pink Lady® fruit quality and profitability.
Goulburn Valley ACOG study – Vigour control in Pink Lady® varietals
The Goulburn Valley ACOG study is facilitated by Fruit Grower’s Victoria and comprises a number of growers from the Goulburn Valley.
For the Goulburn Valley’s ACOG study this year growers have chosen to assess the effect of Regalis® (prohexadione calcium) on Pink Lady®, with a particular focus on the potential for improving fruit set, which has proven to be a challenge for some growers this year, and reducing tree vigour. This is achieved by disrupting the gibberellin biochemical pathway (relatively late in the process), thereby reducing the level of the cell elongation we see in the plant.
This study will aim to assess the effect of Regalis® (prohexadione calcium) on:
- Fruitset
- Fruit size
- Fruit pressure
- Fruit colour
- Shoot length and number
- Light levels within the canopy
- Canopy geometry (scanned with Green Atlas)
on treated trees relative to untreated trees.
Southern VIC ACOG study – Leaf defoliation effects on fruit quality in cooler climates
A Yarra Valley block nearing harvest after pneumatic defoliation
With several growers in the region no strangers to leaf defoliation, and many having undertaken manual leaf plucking in past seasons as standard practise, adoption and interest in pneumatic defoliation (leaf blowers) is relatively high in the area purely from a cost reduction perspective.
Given this technology is relatively new, an assessment of its effects in the Southern Victorian climate was chosen as this year’s study. Given a relatively large proportion of the region aim for medium-long term storage options, whether leaf defoliation may be causing a spike in ethylene levels (the “ripening” hormone) was discussed in the first ACOG meeting and will form part of the assessments. This idea stemmed from growers noting that in trial plots fruit above the defoliation line appear to have greater colour (relative to trees that have had no pneumatic defoliation).
This study will aim to assess pneumatic defoliation’s effects on:
- Fruit maturity
- Fruit colour and packout
- Percentage first pick
- Sunburn levels
- Return bloom effects
- Reject percentage (bruising, cuts, punctures etc)
- Cost benefit analysis
relative to fruit from trees that have had no defoliation.
The outcomes of these studies will be shared via APAL’s grower events and communications platforms. Keep your eye out for updates from ACOG studies in other regions in future editions of Industry Juice.
If you are interested in getting involved with your local ACOG, get in touch with your local Front Line Advisor or Rose Daniel at APAL ([email protected]).
