WA Focus Orchard trial results 2014

June 2014 | Rachelle Johnstone, DAFWA | Future Orchards® trial report

This report summarises 2014 results from Western Australian Focus Orchard trials led by Rachelle Johnstone of DAFWA. APAL’s archive groups the work with the 2014–2015 trial program, which focused on practical management questions arising from commercial orchards.

The WA program at the time included work on young-tree establishment and fertigation, where the goal was to improve early canopy development and get new blocks to productive size as quickly and efficiently as possible. Measurements from these trials help separate visual impressions of tree growth from actual treatment effects and provide a basis for adjusting nutrition, irrigation and establishment practices.

The report is useful because it shows how local trial results fit into the wider Future Orchards® extension process: orchard-specific issues are measured, discussed with growers and then used to inform the next season’s management. Results should be applied with attention to soil type, rootstock, planting density, irrigation system and seasonal conditions.