Completed project
Optimising pollination of macadamia and avocado in Australia (MT13060)
Publication date: March 6, 2017
Delivery Partner: The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research
In Australia, a significant amount of pollination is believed to occur as a free service by unmanaged feral honey bees and by other unidentified species, but the contribution of these insects has remained poorly quantified. Should the exotic mite Varroa destructor reach Australia, feral bee populations are predicted to fall so this preparedness project sought to identify the most effective pollination management strategies.
The aims of this project were to establish…
The research team developed a large amount of data on macadamia and avocado pollination and the contributions of honey bees and stingless bees in orchards.
They concluded that there is considerable potential to improve pollination of macadamia and avocado in the regions that they assessed.
Recommendations for growers of these crops included the below.
For macadamia growers…
For avocado growers…
Further understanding of factors influencing populations of key non-bee pollinators of avocado is needed to inform farmers of management practices that will retain their populations.
This multi-industry project was a strategic levy investment in multiple Hort Innovation Funds
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
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