Improved Australian apple and pear orchard soil health and plant nutrition (AP19006)

In this reporting period, an update on soil physical and microbiological assessments was presented from the main research site in Tasmania. Early results and learnings from the literature review were used to provide an overview of soil health indicators for determining the health of an apple growing soil.

A series of articles were published online:

• Sustainability as a business strategy at R&R Smith, Tasmania
• Real opportunity for sustainable and profitable orchards
• How healthy is your soil?

YouTube videos were created to report on extension activities:

• Part one
• Part two
• Part three

Update on fruit quality and yield analysis from the main research site in Tasmania

Trees in the established ‘Jazz’ block were harvested at normal commercial fruit maturity in early April; fruit numbers were counted prior to harvest on two tagged trees in the centre of each trial plot (90 trees in total) and a sample of 40 fruit collected from the eastern side of these trees. Fruit quality and yield analysis were carried out.

PhD student Phillip Kay is undertaking the soil microbial studies listed below on the intensive trial site. Soil samples were collected in February/March but data is not yet available.

Dr Steve Quarrell is undertaking arthropod assessments at the intensive trial site. Earwig traps, sticky cards and Delta (pheromone) traps for codling moth and Light Brown Apple Moth have been set up in the trees. Pitfall traps have been installed in both the tree-line and inter-row. Traps are monitored for one week every month

Harvesting and fruit quality assessments have now been completed at the SA regional demonstration site. Fruit numbers were counted prior to harvest and a sample of 20 fruit was taken from five trees in each treatment for fruit quality assessments. Assessments included background colour, starch pattern index (SPI), flesh firmness and total soluble solids (TSS).

The NSW and WA regional sites have been harvested and fruit samples collected with fruit quality assessments.

Since the team’s last update, a literature review on the impact of orchard floor management practices on soil health, tree growth, yield and fruit quality was completed.

It provided evidence towards the adoption of practices that promote a natural system to increase biodiversity, provide natural pest control and build soil health.

It also highlighted that a common misconception that sustainable agriculture means a return to old farming methods needs to be addressed, with terms such as ‘biological’ or ‘regenerative’ bringing the emphasis back to the important aspects farmers need to look to in the future.

Regenerative farming works with natural systems and processes to build optimum soil and plant health, while also incorporating the best of conventional farming methods to maintain production levels and quality.

ACT NOW

Read more about the project team’s activities in these articles:

• Getting to the ‘roots’ of soil health, originally published in the Spring 2021 edition of Australian Fruitgrower
• Digging into Healthy Soils – PIPS3 Program update, shared on the APAL website, November 2021

Despite some initial delays due to weather and COVID restrictions, project activities are well underway with progress in the following areas:

• The intensive research trial sites and regional sites are now established, with harvest set for the 2022 season
• Soil samples have been collected to provide baseline soil nutrient levels
• Information about the project was shared at the Tasmanian autumn Future Orchards Walk
• To encourage grower interest and participation, a ‘Soil your Undies’ campaign was promoted at the FGT June Conference, ready to commence on 1 September 2021.

ACT NOW

Read more and watch a video about the project on APALs website, as part of the PIPS3 program.

Find out more about taking part in the Soil your Undies campaign.