What is it all about?

This project is identifying elite avocado rootstocks, and where appropriate scion varieties, that can be accessed and evaluated for use under Australian growing conditions. It focuses on traits that matter most to growers, such as tolerance to Phytophthora, salinity resilience, tree vigour and size control, yield, and compatibility with modern orchard systems.

The project is guided by an Industry‑Focused Reference Group made up of growers and industry experts. Key activities include reviewing Australian and international research, surveying nurseries and variety managers, and engaging directly with overseas breeding programs. Promising rootstocks are identified through this process, and pathways are explored to access them for Australia. The project also designs regionally relevant, grower‑led trial frameworks to support future evaluation once material becomes available. Tangible outputs include a national and international rootstock database, trait prioritisation frameworks, trial designs, industry articles, webinars and a final report.

Australian avocado growers currently rely on a narrow range of rootstocks, often with limited performance data across different regions. This creates uncertainty around orchard productivity, disease management and long‑term sustainability. This project addresses that gap by building a clear, industry‑led pathway to identify, prioritise and access improved genetic material. The expected outcome is stronger evidence to support future rootstock trials, improved genetic diversity, and better long‑term productivity and resilience for Australian avocado orchards.