• detail endogenous anti-nutritive factors that may present a health hazard in the major plant species currently used in the industry.
• report on laboratory investigations into the presence of the major potential hazards
• advise on a protocol for the safe selection and usage of bushfoods

A thorough literature review has been conducted of available information pertinent to the safety of the major bush food species with respect to anti-nutritive factors. Information on the actual or potential anti-nutritive factors was obtained form reference libraries, industry knowledge and specialist chemical, botanical and medical literature as well as commercial and technical Internet sites. This search suggests that few of the commercial bush food species are likely to require special care to ensure safe use as normally consumed in mixed diets.

The second phase of the study will carry out tests on samples of the parts of plants actually used as bush foods. The new major constituents identified as requiring analyses are the cyanogens, saponins, alkaloids, oxalates and for a limited number of species, potential undesirable constituents in the essential oils. This first phase of testing will be a general qualitative screening for these classes compounds, and analytical methods have been developed. A range of samples for testing are being collected at the appropriate harvest period of the year. Analyses has commenced on harvested material.

• Oliveaus is to be the principle communications forum for the olive industry, and as such to have a significant and positive impact on the development potential of the infant Australian olive inustry and ultimately on its success as a significant import replacement and exporting industry.

The AOA Editorial Committee are currently undertaking a review of progress to date, especially regarding editorial content and a stricter adherence by the editor to editorial policy as set out in the Editorial Policy Guidelines. To this end the editorial committee will be meeting with the editor Margaret Chidgey during April to fine tune future directions, including an increase in scientific and technical research content.

For many members of the AOA The Olive Press is the most tangible benefit of their membership. The "big picture" tasks such as: R&D programs; truth in labelling regulations; QA programs etc. will take a number of years to take shape and show tangible benefits. The importance of these programs is poorly understood by many new growers and the magazine is playing a major role in communicating the message that the Australian olive industry must pull together to meet these challenges. 

An adjunct to the magazine is the web site. The AOA is now moving to put the web site on to a commercial footing and to completely revamp the site.

• To introduce and further develop genetic material of condiment paprika to produce cultivars with a high initial pigment (>200 ASTA) and dry matter content suitable for direct seeding and mechanical harvesting.
• To develop a commercially viable integrated production, harvesting and processing system for identified markets by 2002.

The crossing program concentrated on back crosses of the F₁ plants of interspecific hybrids. Further crosses were also made using high yielding American, Spanish and French origin condiment paprika cultivars. Single plant selections were made from F₂ and F₃ generations. With the help of the genetic male sterile capsicum lines, obtained from Hungary, the production of male sterile paprika lines has been initiated.

To enable us to do our own quality tests a hammer mill was purchased and during the winter months we will conduct test millings. 

From November to February Dr Norbert Somogyi, Hungarian paprika breeder, worked with us. Consequent to his visit a close cooperation was established between his institution and us. Part of this cooperation is that some of our breeding material will be grown in Hungary during their summer months and we will grow their material during our growing season

• To evaluate isolates from identified bushfoods
• To develop novel and improved foods and food ingredients currently unexploited across the food industry both nationally and internationally leading to a significant increase in demand for the raw material with subsequent growth of the Australian Bushfood Industry.

• extension of postharvest shelf-life: modified atmosphere packaging systems are currently being assessed to determine the optimum storage requirements of fresh mountain pepper and warrigal greens
• bushfood flavour research: initial studies have focussed on developing GC-MS methods for the analysis and development of flavour components of lemon myrtle and lemon aspen

• application/product development: oxidation of flavours was determined as a possible cause of lemon myrtle oil instability, when incorporated into further valued food products such as mustards. Methods to monitor oxidative events (eg. peroxides) under accelerated test conditions are presently being evaluated. Depending on the cause of degradation, methods will be developed to maintain the characteristics of lemon myrtle oil flavour, possibly by the addition of natural antioxidants

• microbiological issues: assessment of possible microbiological contamination in akudjura (ground bush tomato) and ground mountain pepper is underway

• novel antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds: certain bushfood sources (eg. lemon aspen) have been identified to potentially contain antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds (research to begin July 1999)

ADELAIDE SA 5001

• Complete the evaluation of cashew hybrids planted during 1989-93
• Identify at least 30 trees, each yielding in excess of 20 kg/tree (raw nuts) at 5 years old
• Layout progeny trials in NT and north Queensland with high yielding selections from the hybrids planted between 1988 and 1991
• Finalise commercial arrangements with existing and new growers to allow large-scale multiplication and commercial planting of selected hybrids
• Breeding/genetic values of parental and hybrid lines established.

At Cashews NT 176 of the hybrids produced in either 1991 or 1992 were assessed. On an individual tree basis yield was variable, ranging from less than 1 to more than 12 kg nut-in-shell per tree. Average nut size ranged from about 4 to almost 9 g. Kernel recovery was variable, ranging from less than 20 to over 35 %.

At Cashews Australia 698 hybrids were assessed. On an individual tree basis yield was generally low, with average yields of 4.9, 1.5 and 1.1 kg nut-in-shell per tree in blocks D, G1 and G, respectively. Many hybrids (Blocks D, G1approximately 30 % of trees; Block G 20 % of trees) had average nut weight greater than 5g and kernel recovery above 30 %. 

Trees in the replicated trials are well established and at the NT site (La Belle Downs Station) assessments will commence during the 1999 season.

• Developing pruning strategies to synchronise and promote flowering, leading to increased and regular yields.
• Developing protocols for the application of Ethrel sprays to control winter flushes which prevent flowering in lychee.
• Evaluating early growth of lychee trees in high density plantings.
• Developing high density orchard management systems for early production and profitability.
• Working closely with industry to assist the rapid adoption of best crop management systems.

A model has been applied to long term weather records to examine variations in flush development with latitude along the major lychee growing areas of eastern Australia. This was then related to window of low temperatures required for floral induction in lychee.

Three orchards were pruned at Bundaberg to provide trees with young red flushes going into winter. The best flowering occurred with trees pruned in May or sprayed with Ethrel in June. Trees pruned in June generally produced only leaves. Overall, the response was best in cultivar Kwai May Pink. These experiments demonstrate the benefits of winter Ethrel applications to trees with red flushes which are unlikely to flower.

A model is being developed to describe longan leaf flushing in various environments in eastern Australia. Trees of cultivars Kohala and Chompoo have been pruned at various times over spring and summer at Nambour in southern Queensland. Similar experiments have been carries out with rambutan in Darwin.

• To assess the commercial potential of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) on the Atherton Tableland as a sugar source for the Queensland Sugar Industry.

Fresh root yields ranged from 48 to 60 t/ha with an average of 55.6 t/ha over the 9 varieties tested, CCS levels averaged 15.8 % giving a sugar yield of about 9 t/ha. Given a 22 week growth period this equates to sugar production of 1.6 t/ha/month, in comparison sugar cane would be expected to yield 14-18 t/ha of sugar over a 52-60 week growth period (~1.5 t/ha/month).

Individual plots in the trial did produce the equivalent of over 11 t/ha of sugar indicating the potential for higher sugar production. Further research into the manipulation of nutrition and irrigation would further enhance sugar production. The trial received about 4.5 megalitres of irrigation giving sugar production of 2 t/ML, which is much less water use per tonne of sugar produced compared to that of flood irrigated sugar cane.

The variety giving the highest average sugar production was a hybrid (F 734) specifically bred as a short cycle/high sugar type for USA (California) conditions and has been used in further trials planted in 1999. 

Dry matter and nutrient analysis of tops and roots showed them to be highly nutritious with potential for use in local dairy rations.

• To improve the understanding of nutrient and irrigation management in rambutan and longan. 
• The key research issues for improving yield and fruit quality will be identified for both rambutan and longan. 
• The monitoring and reporting components of the project are linked with industry participation hence the uptake of new findings will be rapid and lead to improvements in productivity.

Six weather stations are now under constructions and should be installed (three each for longan and rambutan orchards) by late June. Data to be collected includes; rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature and soil tension. 

The program is on target and grower cooperator feedback is positive. 

• To identify garlic varieties and develop production protocols that optimise yields of a bioactive extract used as a cholesterol lowering agent in human preventative medicine.

Australian grown garlic contains naturally high levels of the compound (up to 20 mg/g by cured weight) compared to garlic grown elsewhere in the world (commonly recorded as 8-10 mg/g by cured weight in the scientific literature).

Our research has determined that levels of the compound above 10 mg/g can be consistently achieved with a wide range of garlic varieties when grown under Australian conditions. The research has also shown that most areas where garlic is currently produced could supply garlic with high alliin levels. Production protocols have also been developed to further enhance the level of the compound in the bulbs using nutrient supplementation during growth.

These findings have identified a significant opportunity for the Australian garlic industry to supply elite garlic and/or partially-processed garlic to international pharmaceutical markets. 

• To export 5,000 tonnes per year of buckwheat and buckwheat products and increase the use of buckwheat in new and existing food products in Australia to 3,000 tonnes per year, by the year 2000.
• To determine the effect of honeybee pollination on buckwheat seed yield and quality, refine the agronomy required for consistent yield and quality and publish grower guides.
• To develop a total quality management package for the production and marketing of buckwheat.
• To achieve export quality grain from 75% of total harvest by the year 2000 by supporting grower's efforts to optimise production technology.

The enthusiasm of growers and the skills and hard work of buckwheat agronomists and buckwheat marketing companies were responsible for this excellent result.

Flow on economic benefits included work done by contractors, grain carters, seed cleaners, packers and shippers and grain millers. Those benefits are enhanced because many buckwheat growers are in districts where farm incomes are depressed because of reliance on grazing industries.

Domestic demand is growing for organic and conventional buckwheat, with new food industry uses being regularly developed. Planning has commenced for a buckwheat processing and milling plant in Victoria. Hakubaku, the Japanese owned export wheat noodle factory in Ballarat will shortly commence manufacture of a soba noodle containing 30 –40% Australian buckwheat.

Production targets for 1999/00 are anticipated to be at least 5,000 tonnes. If realised, grower returns increase to $2.25 million and economic benefit to Australia reaches at least $5 million.

• To raise walnut yields from 1.5 to 4 t/ha.
• To reduce the time needed for commercial yeilds from 10 to 4 years.
• To improve the quality of the produce.
• To facilitate the expansion of the walnut industry in the irrigated areas of northern Victoria.

• To conduct a primary investigation into Boab tuber to determine its commercial potential. 
• Provide an information package as the basis to establish an industry, thereby reducing the risk for investors and primary producers.

Seed has been collected and a small trial plot has been established on a growers property: From this established plot samples will be collected for mineral analysis and sent to restaurants for sampling.

• To improve durian orchard establishment and sustainability, and the consistency of quality fruit supplies to expanding markets by developing components of an integrated management program for pre-production and post harvest diseases caused by Phytophthora. This involves a thorough understanding of the pathogen-host-environment interactions to mitigate disease incidence and spread.

A number of isolates of Phytophthora have been collected for NT durian orchards. These isolates were collected fro soil samples and not tree issue. It is interesting to note that 2 isolates of P. nicotianae were isolated. Only one other report of P.nicotianae being associated with Durian has been made – by the Department of Agriculture Sabah, Malaysia. 

Some initial pathogenicity testing of these isolates plus some Phytophthora palmivora isolates obtained from an PNG cocoa farm has been done. The results to date show that the isolates from the NT (Both P.palmivora and P.nicotianae) are pathogenic to durian while the cocoa sourced P.palmivora are (as expected) not. Further testing is being carried out.

• To improve the understatnding of nutrient and irrigation management in rambutan, with particular emphasis on management through the fruit filling stage.

The project, still in its infancy, is already proving to be of value to rambutan grower. The initial nutritional data is creating much grower thought and management changes. Hopefully the newly installed irrigation monitoring equipment will do the same. The next two and a half years of the project should see a lot more information gained on how management inputs influence the productivity of rambutans.

• Determine optimum water requirements to grow qulaity coffee in the sub tropics
• Investigate the relaitonship between water and the phenological cycle establish design criteria for irrigation and storage systems
• Develop a best practice management system for coffee irrigation to achieve quality production with minimum environment impact
• Increase the viability of coffee growing in Australia as an export and import replacement industry with limited available water resources.

• Harvest of coffee completed at Newrybar site comprising three harvests on 8^th October, 6^th November and 11^th December. This is an exceptionally late season for coffee maturity due to unseasonal growing conditions.
• Coffee cherry has been processed to the parchment stage ready for hulling and roasting. The hulled bean will be size graded to assess any physical quality differences between treatments prior to irrigation treatments being applied. Samples will then be roasted, ground, and evaluated for taste by the NSW Coffee Growers Association taste panel and independent experts.
• The second trial site at Mountain Top is currently being prepared for planting this inland, high altitude site represents a contrasting climatic extremity of coffee production for the sub-tropics.
• To maximise the value of information from this site the research cooperators have decided to duplicate the treatments on two different soil types and two aspects at Mountain Top. Soil moisture sensors in each site will be linked to the EnviroSCAN recorder and a single weather station.
• Heavy rain in late February and a single extremely heavy rainfall event in early March at Mountain Top, caused some erosion of the rows that were prepared for planting. This means that planting cannot proceed prior to winter and will now be held over till spring.

• To develop an elctronic data base which will enable people in the industry to readily access technical infomration so that the industry can expand and become commercially viable

The committee and officer have compiled a list of the first 30 herb species. The list comprises of 20 culinary and 10 medicinal herbs. Among the 30 some include: astregalus, basil, burdock, chamomile, chervil, chives, coriander, echinacea, feverfew, garlic, ginkgo, horseradish, goldenseal, lemon balm, lemon grass, marjoram, mint, meadowsweet, oregano, parsley, passionfruit, rocket, rosemary, sage, skullcap, sorrel, tarragon, thyme, valerian.

We envisage that the list of 30 herb species selected will be on the Website which will be up and running by the end of June 1999.

• To develop a detailed understanding of the technical production aspects, post harvest practices and marketing strategies necessary to successfully establish a French Truffle Industry in Tasmania.

The directors are cautiously optimistic that the first French truffles will be harvested in Tasmania in the winter of 1999. The company will have four fully trained dogs available.

The tree nutrition trial is continuing on schedule, which is investigating the effects of increasing tree growth rate on the level of mycorrhization and hence reducing the time from out-planting to the commencement of truffle production. Monitoring of soil moisture levels on the trufferies is continuing . 

Importing truffles continued during the French truffle season. Valuable experience has been gained in the handling of the fresh product, transportation, understanding varying qualities of the truffle, and most importantly the chefs understanding of the truffle.

Regular communication is being maintained with scientific and marketing contacts in France made during trips to Europe. There is a great deal of interest and anticipation in Tasmania’s premier truffle harvest.

• To deliver a package which enables quandong growers to control quandong moth with minimum use of insecticides.

A field trial with dimethoate, the chemical temporality registered for use on quandong moth is being conducted in a quandong orchard at Whyalla, South Australia. The primary focus of this trial is to examine spray timing, and at a later stage in the season will also examine residue levels. Alternative insecticides to dimethoate will be trialed in the laboratory in the coming months. Those showing potential for management of quandong moth will be trialed in the field next season.

Surveys of natural enemies of the quandong moth and other insect fauna associated with quandong trees are continuing. Rearing techniques for the quandong moth, and subsequently the natural enemies are still being investigated.

The postgraduate fellow working on the project, Kaye Ferguson, maintains regular contact with quandong growers throughout the state, and will again present findings at the annual Australian Quandong Industry Association conference scheduled for August 1999.

• The aim of the project is selection, oil analysis, DNA fingerprinting, breeding and propagation of new improved olive cultivars based on wild southern Australian material. This will improve yield and quality of olive oil for domestic and export markets, and provide quality assurance to the industry.

Olive tissue culture is progressing well with cultures now proceeding onto rooting media. Genetic analysis of a feral population on Kangaroo Island is complete showing three distinct clusters of trees which are genetically different from each other. Bulked segregant analysis is being used on a segregating olive production to find a marker for Peacock Spot disease. A trial looking at the viability of olive DNA after long tem storage at –80C is continuing.

• To understande the water use requirements of olives in the southern Australian environment we shall establish for a range of olive groves:

• their annual water requirements
• how these water requirements change over the season so that financially efficent irrigation schedules can be developed
• and to indicate under which circumstances drainage may be a problem.

Some measurements will be made before the 1999 harvest but we will not have enough data for a detailed analysis of this season’s crop. However, more meaningful measurements will be made over the full1999-2000 season after which it will be possible to determine which groves will be suitable for detailed evapotranspiration measurements with sap-flow instruments.

• Report on quality of gum when used in conmination with other gelling agents (eg: carageenan) relative to other gelling agents (eg locust bean gum); with characterisation of the chemical structure of the gum
• Report on the presence of the toxin anthroaquinone within the plant product
• Preparation of prelininary cost-benefit analysis
• Botanical description of species including breeding system
• Characterisation of eclogy of species
• recommendations for cropping systems (with cost analysis)

This study has also delivered information on the distribution of the 'peanut bruchid', an insect pest which infests the seed of the plant under consideration. We surmise that the insect was introduced to Australia in tamarind or bauhinia seed, and is spreading -infesting native species. This insect is a serious pest of peanuts on other continents.

• To develop a database on Australian olives which may be used to indicate best time to harvest the olives, the variability of individual cultivars between sites and the variability in quality between select cultivars by measuring quality parameters such as oil content, fatty acid, polyphenols, etc. based on IOOC standards.
• To develop family trees (relatedness) for selected olive cultivars by developing DNA identification procedures and producing a database of DNA fingerprints to meet Objective 1. This is necessary to ensure that future projects identify cultivars correctly and comparisons of data are on the same cultivars.

• To develop and promote appropriate crop management practices, suitable varieties and a marketing package to establish a canary seed in the main croppin reions of southeastern Australia.

The Masters student was appointed in April 1999. Additional germplasm from overseas will be evaluated this year. Current trials are investigating the phenology of canary seed compared to wheat and how this may affect seed size and colour. Plant density is being investigated as another way to manage seed size. Four experimental sites are planned for 1999/2000, plus four demonstration sites.

• To continue the monitoring of the transplanted green ant colonies in the current RIRDC project in order to determine how many years cashew growers can benefit from each transplantation of the ant. 
• To introduce and promote the use of green ant technology in commercial casheew orchards for the purpose of controlling the main cashew insect pests. This will be achieved by producing booklets and posters. These materials will highlight key procedures in the stabilisation of populations of existing and transplanted colonies of green ants. They will be used in field workshops and future consultation for cashew growers.

The results show that the ant population in TPC and IEC was more stable throughout the flowering and fruiting period (May to October 1998) than in NIEC. The treatments of TPC, IEC, TPBI, NIEC and TWIG produced a yield of 2342 kg/ha, 1800 kg/ha, 1012 kg/ha, 1120 kg/ha and 364 kg/ha respectively in 1998. Compared to the treatment of TPBI, the treatments TPC and IEC obtained an average benefit of $2273/ha. The transplanted colonies are still persisting after the wet season (November 1998 - April 1999), and more benefit will be expected in TPC than in TPBI in 1999. 

The methods that use green ants at the colony level to manage the main cashew insect pests have been developed in the RIRDC project UNT-4A. To promote the use of green ant technology in commercial orchards, posters and booklets will be produced. These teaching materials are currently under preparation.

• To determine the most productive hazelnut varieties that could be used for the establishment of a haszelnut industry in south-eastern Australia and that would meet the nation's requirements for hazelnut kernels.
• To assess the affects of environmental conditions on hazelnut production and varietal performance.

Planting commenced at Orange and Toolangi in 1995 and at Moss Vale and Myrtleford in 1996. Data is being collected on the growth of trees as assessed by changes in butt diameter. The periods of pollen shed and female bloom were recorded at each site in the winter of 1998 This will be repeated in 1999.

Automatic weather stations have been installed at each of the sites to record climatic data.

The trees are just coming into production and nut samples and yield estimates were obtained at Orange and Toolangi in 1999. The quality of nuts and kernels is also being assessed. A report has been prepared on results to-date, RIRDC Publication No 99/6.

• The isolation and identification of the chemical structure of antiviral compounds from Australian bush medicine plants and thus development of demand for cultivation of these plants.

P. sphacelatum, yielded the antiviral flavonoid chrysosplenol a 4'-hydroxy-3-methoxyflavone, one of a group of compounds known to be potent and specific inhibitors of replication of picornaviruses including the most frequent causative agent of the common cold. 

Activity-guided fractionation of the root extract of D. longifolia resulted in the identification of chrysophanic acid (1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone) as the anti-polioviral component. Anthraquinones have not previously been found to inhibit non-enveloped viruses. 

Chrysophanic acid inhibited an early stage in the poliovirus replication cycle and it may act as an inhibitor of proteases cleaving the picornaviral polyprotein.

E. australis yeilded polyphenolic compounds responsible for the anti-HCMV activity.

In this study known and novel antiviral compounds were isolated from Australian native plants traditionally used by Aboriginal people as a source of medicines.

• To introduce new edible and industrial oil seed options to Australia within the four years of the project

The project has evolved to include oils high in essential fatty acids. The herb Borage, and other members of the Boraginaceae, are being investigated because of their content of GLA (gamma linolenic acid). One of the most intriguing species is the Stock (Matthiola incarna) - a common garden flower. A perennial, it has a remarkably high proportion of the Omega 3 fatty acids. A flowering line from Israel has a high harvest index. Other lines, apparently highly salt tolerant, were collected locally from beach front locations.

A wild card is the remarkable leguminous oil seed Morama (Tylosema esculentum). Originating from the Kalahari desert, it is prized there for the leaf as well as its oil rich hazel nut sized fruits.

• The introduction of the best durian clones of Asia from guaranteed budwood sources.
• Propagation of these clones (single and multi-rootstocked) with the best nursery practices.
• Development of an Industry Strategic Plan
• To compare growth rates and performances under different clonal tolerances to pests, diseases and strong winds.
• To identify clones best suited for Phase 2 (Yield and Fruit Quality Assessment) for future Australian planting and export potential.

• Forty new durian clonal introductions from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are now successfully established in Australia.
• These clones were propagated and two evaluation areas of 300 trees, on differing soil types, are planted. Plantings were damaged again from the effects of Cyclone Rona in February 1999 resulting in tree losses of 12%. Further replacement trees were planted in April 1999.
• The Industry Strategic plan was successfully reviewed in August 1998. Grower meetings were held in NT (Darwin) and NQ (Mossman and South Johnstone). The implementation / work program ensures continued momentum by all stakeholders to complete the priorities identified in our industry plan. Our major industry strength is that currently Australia is free of Mudaria sp. (Durian seed borers) 
• Regular tree growth measurements and pest observations have been conducted. Healthy trees are growing at an average rate of one metre per year. First fruiting has occurred on tree number 305, which produced 45 kg of marketable fruit in April 1999.
• Growth measurements, pest and disease tolerances and early fruiting charastics will be matched to the project’s weather station data and used to identify the most suitable clones for Australian conditions and Phase 2 by 2001.