PIPS3 AP19006 – orchard soil health and nutrition

1 September 2021 | Presented by Dr Sally Bound | PIPS3 project AP19006 / Future Orchards®

This presentation provides an update on PIPS3 project AP19006, Improved Australian apple and pear orchards soil health and plant nutrition. The project takes a systems approach to orchard-floor management, examining how soil physical, chemical and biological properties influence tree health, fruit yield and quality.

Research sites across Australian growing regions compared treeline and inter-row treatments, including cover crops, compost and grower-standard practices. Measurements included soil condition, biological activity, nutrient availability and plant responses, with the goal of developing practical guidance for more sustainable and productive orchard systems.

The project also links soil management to wider orchard outcomes such as pest and disease interactions, water use and fruit quality. For growers, the presentation offers an early view of the evidence being developed to support orchard-floor decisions that improve resilience while maintaining commercial performance.