What is it all about?

This project is developing tools for plant breeders to expedite the development of new almond, apple, citrus, macadamia and mango genetics, with the goal of enhancing productivity and profitability in the next generation of orchard systems.

Challenge

Enabling the development of new varieties will add substantial value to the almond, apple, citrus, macadamia and mango industries worth more than $3 billion annually and ensure their long-term viability and global competitiveness.

A greater understanding of the genes and molecular signals that regulate important traits is needed, including:

• Flowering and reproductive bud dormancy
• Tree architecture and vigour
• Fruit quality (blush/degreening), retention and nut drop
• Disease resistance. 

Response

This program will identify the genetic regulation of key productivity traits, integrate molecular markers, develop genomic selection models for current breeding programs that efficiently select plants with desirable traits, and enhance orchard production systems.

To maximise space and resources, this program will focus on developing smaller, less vigorous tree varieties planted at higher densities. These smaller, high-density orchards will maximise yield per unit area and support the implementation of automated management tools that will help growers improve their productivity at reduced costs.

The research will then flow directly to active breeding programs that can use this knowledge and these tools to assist them in accelerating the development of new fruit and nut varieties for Australian producers.

Benefit

This program builds on the previous work of the National Tree Genomics Program (AS17000), which delivered essential genomic resources and genetic knowledge around key traits for five important Australian tree crop species: almond, citrus, macadamia, apple and mango. These genomic resources paved the first steps towards enabling breeders with new genetic knowledge that assists in delivering new varieties with beneficial traits and new tools for growers to enhance productivity in next-generation orchard systems.

This next research phase is needed to further integrate genomics and molecular markers into breeding programs and to equip breeders with sophisticated tools that inform decision-making in selecting new varieties with desired trait combinations.