On Monday, 14th February Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) hosted a complimentary Horticulture Forum at Melbourne’s MCG, the evening prior to the start of this year’s Climate Change Research Strategies for Primary Industries (CCRSPI) Conference. Attendees from the agricultural research community were invited to the event that provided the horticulture industries an opportunity to showcase the exciting climate change research being conducted in horticulture by HAL.

Hosted by Agricultural Scientist and TV Judge of ABC’s ‘The New Inventors’ Chris Russell, the event commenced with an opening address by the Hon Dr. Mike Kelly AM MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  from DAFF who welcomed the over 80 attendees.

HAL’s Chairman Selwyn Snell highlighted the importance of climate science, which continues to be a strong focus for HAL and HAL member industries. By taking a proactive approach, the industry is able to gain a better understanding of the effects of climate change on horticultural production, focussing research on mitigation, adaptation and communication.

Presenters at the forum included Dr. Ian Porter from VIC Department for Primary Industries, Karl Forsyth from Australian Wine Research Institute, Dr. Anthony Kachenko from Nursery & Garden Industry Australia, and Dr. Michael Treeby from NSW Industry & Investment.

Dr. Porter presented on the effect of nitrogen and soil amendments on carbon management and soil health in vegetable production. He highlighted that by understanding the effect of fertilisers and soil amendments on soil health, yield, environment, and carbon management all together the vegetable industry is able to gain a better understanding of the overall effect of inputs required for production.

A unique web tool for the Australian Vegetable Industry to measure on-farm carbon produced through recognised emissions calculations was presented by Karl Forsyth. The interactive and easy to use web tool provides growers with a benchmarking tool that can be utilised to make future business decisions and for the vegetable industry to understand its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The tool has the support of industry and Woolworths and will act as a base for the development of a common understanding and single widely accepted method for calculating a carbon (greenhouse gas) footprint agreed by domestic retailers and agrifood businesses. 

Dr. Anthony Kachenko presented on the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian nursery industry in the face of a changing climate. The nursery industry continues to take a proactive approach to climate change and Anthony outlined some of the exciting work being undertaken including energy efficiency calculators, renewable energy options for the industry, and the nursery industries role to mitigate heat accumulation in urban areas with vegetation.

Dr. Michael Treeby highlighted some of the research undertaken in the citrus industry to prepare the industry for a changing climate. The phenology of citrus is affected largely by temperature or Heat Units (HU), so to understand this phenomena Michael, together with other researchers at NSW Industry and Investment have modelled the Heat Units (HU) across Australia to understand the relationship of temperature with citrus phenological events. In addition to this, Michael presented leading research on precision fertigation in orchard situations, otherwise known as ‘open hydroponics’. Such a system reduces the need to apply excessive fertilisers and water, potentially reducing the environmental footprint on farm. Michael leads this advanced research in the citrus industry, which is anticipated can be adopted into many other perennial forms of horticulture.

After the forum guests were invited to pre-conference drinks for an opportunity to discuss synergies between horticulture and other agriculture programs. Attendees used the evening as a great networking opportunity to continue fostering a strong base of researchers for the industry. 

Photos from the event are below.