Developing management strategies to enhance the recovery of horticulture from bushfires (AS19002)

What's it all about?

Severe climatic events during the summer of the 2019/20 growing season, in addition to the effects of prolonged drought, led to substantial fire damage in apple orchards and other tree crops in NSW and SA. In response, this project is assessing the short- and long-term effects of fire damage in tree crops so that growers are equipped with strategies to reduce impact in the future.

By investigating how fruit and trees respond to fire, the research team will establish the crucial knowledge needed for growers to make informed decisions on fruit marketability and tree recovery post fire-damage. Guidelines will be developed for growers to use to apply the right management options to improve production levels and meet quality standards, as soon as possible after fire damage.

Research and demonstration sites will be established in Batlow, Bilpin and the Adelaide Hills orchards, which were directly affected by bushfire in the summer of 2019-2020.