RIRDC Completed Projects in 1999-2000 & Research in Progress as at June 2000

1.1 NEW PLANT PRODUCTS -  RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
AGP-1A	Food safety of Australian plant bushfoods	Professor Ron Wills	(02) 4348 4140	Agfood Studies Pty Ltd
AOL-3A	The Olive Press	Mr John Egan	(02) 6833 5402	Australian Olive Association
AOL-5A	Pruning olive trees after year 2	Mr Ian Rowe	(08) 9245 2100	Australian Olive Association
AQI-1A	Genetic and agronomic improvement of quandong	Dr Ben Lethbridge	(08) 8383 6181	Australian Quandong Industry Association
ASA-1A	Condiment paprika breeding, harvesting and commercialisation	Professor Nicholas Derera	(02) 9351 8813	ASAS Pty Ltd
AWI-1A	Development of quality management systems for the Australian walnut industry	Dr John Kenez	(03) 9802 8670	Australian Walnut Industry Association
CAG-1A	Overcoming production limitations in coriander	Ms Danielle England	(08) 8755 3166	Department of Primary Industries & Resources
CFO-1A	Innovative products from indigenous Australian bushfoods	Dr Michael Forbes-Smith	(02) 9385 5788	CRC for Food Industry Innovation
CLC-1A	Cultivation and sustainable wild harvest of bushfoods by Aboriginal communities in central Australia	Mr Jock Morse	(08) 8952 9413	Central Land Council
CPE-1A	Nutritional requirements of coffee trees in northern New South Wales	Mr John Zentveld	(02) 6687 1004	Coffee & Processing Equipment Australia
CSL-11A	Evaluating performance of cultivated bushfood plants in South Australian environments	Dr Maarten Ryder	(08) 8303 8564	CSIRO Land & Water
CSP-6A	Evaluation of growth habit, flowering behaviour and yield of cashew hybrids and layout of progeny trials with some high yielding hybrid selections (final phase of breeding project)	Dr Nigel Scott	(08) 8303 8600	CSIRO – Plant Industry
CSP-7A	Improved post-harvest handling of lychee	Dr Cameron McConchie	(07) 3214 2248	CSIRO Plant Industry
CUT-6A	Acacia saligna as a fodder source for ruminants	Dr Gaye Krebs	(08) 9690 1523	Curtin University of Technology
DAT-38A	Alternative products for Australian green tea	Ms Angela Monks	(03) 6233 6807	Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment
DAQ-249A	Developing a postharvest handling and storage strategy for longan	Mr James Drinnan	(07) 4092 8555	Department of Primary Industries - QLD
DAQ-251A	Enhancing fruit yield and quality of rambutan and longan by optimising irrigation and nutrition management systems – QLD	Mr Bob Williams	(07) 4064 1130	Department of Primary Industries – QLD
DAQ-256A	Northern Australia cocoa development	Mr Craig Lemin	(07) 4064 1130	Department of Primary Industries – QLD
DAQ-257A	Cashew nutrition management studies II	Mr Patrick O’Farrell	(07) 4092 8555	Department of Primary Industries – QLD
DAQ-260A	Market opportunity identification and analysis of the domestic market for Australian longans and rambutans	Mr Michael Daysh	(07) 4044 1613	Department of Primary Industries – QLD
DAV-136A	Total quality management for the production and marketing of buckwheat and honeybee pollination of buckwheat	Mr Chris Bluett	(03) 5333 6784	Department of Primary Industries – QLD
DAV-163A	Increasing the export potential opportunities for Australian garlic	Ms Samantha Sterling	(03) 9210 9222	Department of Natural Resources & Environment
DAV-164A	Walnut industry research and best practice implementation	Mr Harold Adem	(03) 5833 5321	Department of Natural Resources & Environment
DAW-95A	The prospects of commercialising indigenous Boab tubers as vegetables	Mr Peter Johnson	(08) 9166 4026	Agriculture Western Australia
DNT-24A	Integrated management of Phytophthora diseases of durian	Mr Chris Wicks	(08) 8999 2292	Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (NT)
DNT-26A	Nutrition and irrigation management of rambutan for maximisation of yield and quality – Northern Territory	Mr Chris Wicks	(08) 8999 2292	Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (NT)
DPH-1A	Developing irrigation strategies for coffee under sub tropical conditions	Mr David Peasley	(02) 6677 7174	David Peasley Horticultural Services
DRW-1A	The impact and control of lychee pepper spot in Australia	Mr Henry Drew	(07) 5445 0032	HJ & JM Drew Pest Management Consultants
OAP-1A	Olive variety assessment for subtropical summer rainfall regions	Mr Greg O’Sullivan	(07) 5446 6159	Olives Australia Pty Ltd
OHG-1A	A technical support package for the development of the Australian Herb Growing industry	Mr Doug Andrews	(02) 6622 0100	Organic Herb Growers of Australia

PTT-2A	The establishment and production of the French black truffle tuber melanosporum in Tasmania	Mr Duncan Garvey	(03) 6266 4213	Perigord Truffles of Tasmania
SAR-23A	National olive variety assessment project (NOVA)	Ms Susan Sweeney	(08) 8389 8800	South Australian Research & Development Institute
SAR-4A	Development of an integrated pest management program (IPM) for the control of quandong moth in quandong orchards	Dr Peter Bailey	(08) 8303 9537	South Australian Research & Development Institute
UA-41A	Wild olive selection for quality oil production	Professor Margaret Sedgley	(08) 8303 7249	University of Adelaide
UA-47A	Monitoring the relationship between olive water use and yield	Dr Ian Nuberg	(08) 8303 7729	University of Adelaide
UCQ-12A	Potential for seed gum production within Australia	A/Professor Kerry Walsh	(07) 4930 9707	University of Central Queensland
UCS-19A	Assessment of olive yield and oil quality and cultivar identification	A/Professor Kevin Robards	(02) 6933 2547	Charles Sturt University
UM-42A	Canary seed industry development for south eastern Australia	Dr Robert Norton	(03) 5362 2222	University of Melbourne
UNT-5A	Continuation of transplanted green ant colony monitoring and implementation of the ant technology in commercial cashew plantations	Dr Penkang Peng	(08) 8946 6763	Northern Territory University
UQ-80A	Australian new crops newsletter	Dr Rob Fletcher	(07) 5460 1311	University of Queensland
UQ-88A	Developing an index of quality for Australian tea	Ms Nola Caffin	(07) 5460 1372	University of Queensland
US-74A	A field evaluation of the productivity of hazelnut varieties	Mr Basil Baldwin	(02_ 6360 5562	University of Sydney
UT-25A	Leguminous browse species as forage plants for temperate environments	Dr Peter Lane	(03) 6226 2621	University of Tasmania
UT-30A	Speciality mushroom production systems: maitake and morels	Dr Caroline Mohammed	(03) 6226 2717	University of Tasmania
UWA-47A	New high quality oil seed crops for temperate and tropical Australia	Dr Clive Francis	(08) 9380 2505	University of Western Australia
ZTR-1A	Durian germplasm evaluation for tropical Australia phase 1	Mr Guiseppe Zappala	(07) 4067 5266	Zappala Tropicals


 
 

Project Title	Food safety of Australian plant bushfoods
RIRDC Project No.:	AGP-1A
Start Date:	15/01/98
Finish Date:	31/12/00
Researcher:	Prof Ron Wills
Organisation:	Agfood Studies Pty Ltd PO Box 77 OURIMBAH NSW 2258
Phone:	(02) 4348 4140
Fax:	(02) 4348 4148
Email:	ftrbhw@cc.newcastle.edu.au
Objectives	· The project will generate a report on: · 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
Current Progress	Since the project was constituted to examine the safety of plant bushfoods and not their nutritive value, activities in 1998/99 have analysed selected bushfoods for the major anti-nutritive factors that were identified in the Literature Review conducted in 1997/98. Analytical methods were established to provide a qualitative/semi-quantitative screen for the presence of cyanogens, saponins and alkaloids, including solanines, and to quantitatively determine levels of oxalic acid and safrole, with the latter to only determined in some bushfoods. Analytical screening of these five anti-nutritive constituent groups was applied to 41 samples of plant bushfoods collected from a range of commercial sources. The results indicate the cyanogens, saponins, oxalic acid and safrole are not present in any of the analysed bushfoods at levels that would constitute a health concern. A number of the bushfoods gave a positive reaction to alkaloid screening will be further examined in 1999/2000.


 
 

Project Title	The Olive Press
RIRDC Project No.:	AOL-3A
Start Date:	December 1998
Finish Date:	September 2001
Researcher:	John Egan (Project manager)
Organisation:	Australian Olive Association (AOA)
Phone:	02 68335402
Fax:	02 68335414
Email:	jegan@bigpond.com
Objectives	§ The Olive Press to be the principal communications forum for the olive industry, thereby positively impacting on the sustainable development of the fledgling Australian olive industry.
Current Progress	Six issues of The Olive Press have been produced to date - Summer 98, Autumn 99, Winter 99, Spring 99, Summer 99 and Autumn 00 – marking the project’s halfway mark. The Winter 2000 issue is being finalized now ready to be reviewed by the Editorial Committee and then to the printer in two weeks. The magazine continues to evolve smoothly with growing technical and research content Also, the letters to the editor section is finally catching-on, meaning that issues confronting the industry are aired in a regular national forum. Advertising, on which the financial success of the project rests, remains strong. Advertising as a source of information is itself a valuable service to the industry. The AOA Board is currently reviewing the financial position of the magazine to ensure that it remains on track to be financially self-funding at the end of the three year period of RIRDC funding support (Spring 2001 issue). The current AOA Editorial Committee is: Ian Rowe (committee chair); John Egan; and Hugh Dunn. The very experienced David Larkey has retired from the committee after a number of years assisting the AOA develop a high quality ‘industry’ magazine. The quality of the publication is in large part his doing. In conclusion, The Olive Press continues to serve the whole Australian olive industry as the only professionally edited, independent and objective publication available. It also continues to serve the AOA well as it represents the most tangible benefit of membership. The project would not have been possible without the three year funding support from RIRDC.


 

Project Title	Pruning olive trees after year 2
RIRDC Project No.:	AOL-5A
Start Date:	21/06/99
Finish Date:	30/05/99
Researcher:	Mr. Ian Rowe
Organisation:	Australian Olive Association 39 Somerton Road KARRINYUP WA 6018
Phone:	(08) 9245 2100
Fax:	(08) 9245 6331
Email:	is.rowe@bigpond.com
Objectives	· To produce a professionally developed training video which enables Australian olive growers to cinfidently prune their 2 to aprox 6 year old trees for optimum growth and production.
Current Progress	Filming of Dr Riccardo Gucci ( University of Pisa, Italy) demonstrating pruning techniques on maturing olive trees located in groves in SA and WA, has been completed. Cutting and editing of these sequences has commenced but is taking somewhat longer than anticipated and should be finished during August. Development of the graphics and final script is progressing in accord with the revised timetable. It is expected that the video will be completed late September 2000 and ready for commercial release in October.


 

Project Title	Genetic and agronomic improvement of quandong
RIRDC Project No.:	AQI-1A
Start Date:	6/05/99
Finish Date:	30/05/03
Researcher:	Dr. Ben Lethbridge
Organisation:	Australian Quandong Industry Association 62 Grants Gully Rd CLARENDON SA 5157
Phone:	(08) 8383 6181
Fax:	(08) 8383 6181
Email:	mlethbridge@bigpond.com.au
Objectives	· It is hoped the study of polyploidy in quandong will lead to the production of self fertile, true breeding and heavy cropping trees to improve fruit set, seedling trees for new orchards and grower returns respectively. · Integrated wattle and quandong orchards - to determine which bushfood species of arid land acacia species would make appropriate hosts for quandong in an orchard situation.
Current Progress	Objective 1: Polyploidy in quandong Analysis of stomate cell and pollen grain sizes from quandong specimens held at the State Herbarium, South Australia, failed to provide any evidence for polyploidy in quandong. It was noted that a large proportion of pollen grain samples contained malformed sterile pollen. This could provide an alternative explanation for the poor performance of some clonal orchards, presumed self incompatability of trees may not be the only limiting factor to efficient fruit production.  Objective 2: Integrated wattle and quandong orchards Eight species of semi–arid wattle ( Acacia victoriae , murrayana, rivalis, brumalis, hemiteles, calamifolia, hakeoides, argyophylla) were selected for their value of seed production to the bushfood industry and potential as quandong hosts in a orchard situation. Acacia seedlings have been propagated on site and recently planted in a one hectare irrigated area at the Arid Land Botanic Gardens, Port Augusta SA. Growth will be monitored for one year before seeding with germinated quandongs.


 
 

Project Title	Condiment paprika breeding, harvesting and commercialisation
RIRDC Project No.:	ASA-1A
Start Date:	1/07/97
Finish Date:	30/06/00
Researcher:	Prof. Nicholas Derera
Organisation:	ASAS Pty Ltd Plant Breeding Institute Private Bag 11 CAMDEN NSW 2570
Phone:	(02) 9351 8813
Fax:	(02) 9351 8875
Email:	dereran@agric.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	· 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.
Current Progress	A number of introduced Hungarian cultivars have been reselected. Four selections have been found outstanding both in yield and quality. One line with semi-determinate growth habit produces 90% of the total yield at first harvest. The best selection will be submitted for Plant Breeders Rights. The main aim of our plant improvement work is to develop cultivars suitable for mechanical harvesting. We identified a gene in a wild species, which allows the fruit to be detached from the calyx at full maturity. We have several early generation lines in our back-crossing program where the detachability is combined with condiment paprika characteristics.It is also important for machine harvesting that the pedicel should snap off easily from the stem. We identified a trait allowing the very easy separation of the pedicel. Several of our F3 condiment paprika lines have the 'snap off' trait. In the Murrumbidgee irrigation area we grew two hectares of trial commercial production using the Szegedi 80 cultivar. The estimated yield was 22 tons/h. Unfortunately due to high labour costs only 10 tons were harvested by hand and processed. The farmer is planning to plant four hectares in the coming season and use a green bean picker for harvesting.

Project Title	Development of quality management systems (QMS) for the Australian walnut industry
RIRDC Project No.:	AWI-1A
Start Date:	15/06/97
Finish Date:	30/06/98
Researcher:	Dr. John Kenez
Organisation:	Australian Walnut Industry Association 5 Rolls Court GLEN WAVERLEY VIC 3150
Phone:	(03) 9802 8670
Fax:	(03) 9561 4576
Email:
Objectives	· Production of Quality Management Manual for walnut production in Australia. · Training Workshop for members of the walnut industry on principles/methods of QMS and its benefit to growers and the Australian Walnut Industry. · Production of Target Market Selection as part of the QMD Manual.
Current Progress	As indicated, the Quality Management Manual, with the title, "Quality Management Guide", is being produced in two stages. The first stage includes the AWIA Quality Statement, objectives of the Guide, market diagnostic and target market selection; industry standards, regulatory requirements (reportable payment system, chemical usage, Food Standards Code, agri-food biotechnology, labelling and certification of weights and measures); outline of benchmarking for orchard development, orchard management and harvesting and processing.  The copy of this first stage has been completed and will be ready for distribution in June 2000. A second stage is planned to include more detailed treatment of the benchmarking procedures related to aspects of orchard development, management, harvesting and processing. It is hoped to have stage two completed by 2002. Training and dissemination of information was conducted during the ANIC Conference in Mildura, July 1997 and at the AWIA Workshop/seminar at ISIA Tatura, Febr/March 1998.


 

Project Title	Overcoming production limitations in coriander
RIRDC Project No.:	CAG-1A
Start Date:	22/07/99
Finish Date:	1/06/02
Researcher:	Ms. Danielle England
Organisation:	Department of Primary Industries and Resources (SA) Field Crop Consultant PIRSA Rural Solutions PO Box 81 KEITH SA 5267
Phone:	(08) 8755 3166
Fax:	(08) 8755 1686
Email:	england.dan@pi.sa.gov.au
Objectives	· To reduce the incidence and losses caused by bacterial blight by developing a commercially available acid seed treatment and industry adoption by 2002 · Facilitate better industry communication through best management information packages prepared and distributed to growers, advisers/consultants and coriander marketers. · Increased agronomic and market skill of growers and agribusiness, advisers and consultants in SA, NSW and VIC. · Timely and accurate disease identification through results of disease diagnostic services and the implantation of corrective measures. · Assess the importance of disease in coriander through a survey of crops.
Current Progress	· Crop surveys, grower surveys and diagnostic samples indicate bacterial blight is still the major disease issue and production limitation for coriander in Australia · Initial field trials of acid seed treatment indicated positive control of bacterial blight and another trial will be sown in 2000. A 10 ha demonstration crop will also be sown with treated seed. An acid seed treatment process suitable for small scale on-farm use has been developed and an information sheet is in preparation. A national seed processing company has shown interest in developing the process for commercial supply of treated seed. · There were 2 successful crop walks in south-east SA in 1999. Further crop walks are planned for 2000 in the south east and mid-north of SA, and Victoria. A newsletter has been established with 380 copies distributed to coriander growers, consultants, researchers and marketers throughout Australia. The next newsletter, and a disease management fact sheet will be available in June. · IAMA sponsored trials have provided better information on nutrition and herbicide management in coriander production. These trials will be continued in 2000.  Crop surveys, crop walks and promotion of diagnostic services will be maintained to provide more accurate and timely disease identification


 

Project Title	Innovative Products from Indigenous Australian Bushfoods
RIRDC Project No.:	CFO-1A
Start Date:	15/02/99
Finish Date:	31/01/02
Researcher:	Dr. Michael Forbes-Smith
Organisation:	CRC for Food Industry Innovation Department of Food Science and Technology University of NSW SYDNEY NSW 2052
Phone:	(02) 9385 5788
Fax:	(02) 9385 5931
Email:	m.forbes.@unsw.edu.au
Objectives	· 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.
Current Progress	Modified atmosphere packaging significantly extends shelf-life of fresh mountain pepper and lemon myrtle leaf (7-11 weeks at 5º C), and warrigal greens (2-3 weeks). Films with defined oxygen transmission rates were superior to conventional packaging. Applicability of ethylene absorbents to delay degradation of warrigal greens is being examined. Flavour components of lemon myrtle oil (LMO) have been characterised using GC-MS/Olfactory. The main lemon aroma was citral with other components generally imparting green, herbaceous fragrances. No apparent unpleasant odours were detected in the oil. Research proceeds to determine flavour components of lemon aspen, wild lime and wattle seed. Food additives have little effect in maintaining LMO flavour in beverages, except for certain buffering salts and stabilisers. Extended LMO stability is required if beverages are to be marketed successfully. Improvement of bread formulations containing akudjura is proceeding to schedule. Akudjura may have a rheological effect to the bread and/or hinder the growth of bread yeast. Native herb products have been assessed for overall microbiological quality. Although total microbial counts ranged 102-105 cells/g, no foodborne pathogens were detected in samples. Fumigation with plant volatiles is potentially beneficial in reducing microbial populations. Seventeen of 25 native foods showed antimicrobial behaviour to various microorganisms. Antioxidant activity was also apparent in several native foods. Extracts of preferred bushfoods are being fractionated to identify components responsible for the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.


 

Project Title	Cultivation and sustainable wild harvest of bushfoods by Aboriginal communities in central Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	CLC-1A
Start Date:	1/09/99
Finish Date:	31/08/02
Researcher:	Mr. Jock Morse
Organisation:	Central Land Council Rural Enterprise Unit PO Box 3321 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871
Phone:	(08) 8952 9413
Fax:	(08) 8952 9429
Email:	jmorse@clc.org.au
Objectives	· The project will investigate horticultural requirements of several central Australian bushfood species to enable them to be grown by Aboriginal groups and become commercially available, and review sustainability of bushfood harvest in central Australia so it can be monitored.
Current Progress	This project has been held up by the advent of record rains in central Australia between December 1999 and April 2000, the need to find an alternative research site, and other events. Rain closed roads, ruined bushfood crops, and prevented site preparation work. Our initial site choice was made impracticable by rain and other events beyond our control.  These events meant that initial seed collections and plantings were not possible.  Site preparation work at the new site (Three Bores, Utopia) is now well advanced with plantings planned for spring. The small amount of seed collected was supplemented with seed from other sources and we now plan to trial six species in the first round of plantings. Experimental trial design will be completed in time for spring plantings. The project has been given a boost by the involvement of the Horticulture department at Centralian College, Alice Springs, which has arranged to undertake on-site horticultural training for 12 local people in conjunction with the research program. Tangentyere Landcare's seedbank and nursery have also come on-board, providing seed and undertaking propagation work.  A literature review of sustainability of bush harvesting and cultivation should be completed in the next month or so.


 
 

Project Title	Nutritional requirements of coffee trees in northern New South Wales
RIRDC Project No.:	CPE-1A
Start Date:	1/07/97
Finish Date:	30/05/02
Researcher:	Mr. John Zentveld
Organisation:	Coffee and Processing Equipment Australia Broken Head Road NEWRYBAR NSW 2479
Phone:	(02) 6687 1004
Fax:	(02) 6687 1335
Objectives	· To establish optimal nutritional requirements of Arabica coffee grown under sub-tropical conditions in northern New South Wales for sustainable yields of high quality cofee using NPK fertilisers together with leaf and soil analysis.
Current Progress	During the last twelve month a new sight was selected and prepared for planting with all the rows mounded. Irrigation was installed, pre-plant fertilisers applied and the new trees planted. Markers to identify the different trail sections have been put into place.  Since planting the trees have shown good growth. The fertilising program initiated by Mr. Mark Haselsberger has been strictly adhered to. A full maintenance program is in place ,which at times has been hard to adhere to because of continuing wet weather. However because of the mounding of the rows , the trees have not suffered and there are no signs of erosion As a result of the above trails mounding of the rows should become a recommended way of establishing future commercial coffee plantations.


 

Project Title	Evaluating performance of cultivated bushfood plants in South Australian environments
RIRDC Project No.:	CSL-11A
Start Date:	1/01/00
Finish Date:	1/01/04
Researcher:	Dr. Maarten Ryder
Organisation:	CSIRO Land and Water Private bag 2 GLEN OSMOND SA 5064
Phone:	(08) 8303 8564
Fax:	(08) 8303 8550
Email:	maarten.ryder@adl.clw.csiro.au
Objectives	· Diversification of farming practices, with increased and more widespread cultivation of native food plants in southern Australia · Informed decision making on the choice of native food species or cultivars for climatic and soil type zones. · Information about quality of produce derived from selected native food species. · Specific training (both formal and on-the-job) of an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander traineeship scheme.
Current Progress	· Funding for the remaining 50% of the traineeship wage (i.e. the portion not funded by RIRDC) was secured from the Aboriginal Employment, Education & Development Branch, South Australian Government (11/99). · The traineeship for an Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander was advertised (12/99). Ms Y. Latham was selected (3/2000) & commenced duty 2/5/2000.  · A media release was prepared and sent out on 8 May 2000. It is available at http://www.csiro.au/.  · There has been a strong response from the media and from the public, following media exposure of the project. There has been one interview for TV, seven radio interviews and two interviews for the print media. Enquiries have come from every state and territory. We now have a list of more than fifty people and groups who wish to either cooperate with CSIRO research or be informed of progress in the project.  · Collection of information on current plantings of native food species has begun, including the following:  1. Visit by Dr M. Ryder to a meeting of Southern Vales Bushfoods near Adelaide, 14/5/00.  2. Attendance of Ms Y. Latham and Ms R. Warren at native citrus industry development workshop, Renmark SA, 26/5/00.


 

Project Title	Evaluation of growth habit, flowering behaviour and yield of cashew hybrids and layout of progeny trials with some high yielding hybrid selections (final phase of breeding project)
RIRDC Project No.:	CSP-6A
Start Date:	1/07/98
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	Dr. Nigel Scott
Organisation:	CSP GPO Box 350 GLEN OSMOND SA 5064
Phone:	(08) 8303 8600
Fax:	(08) 8303 8601
Objectives	· 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.
Current Progress	Following a successful harvest in 1999, the data from cashew hybrid families planted at Wildman River and at Dimbulah have been consolidated and are currently being analysed. Yield of nut in shell and canopy productivity are highly correlated and average nut weight and average kernel weight are also highly correlated and there are significant differences between the crosses for most parameters measured. Trees will be assessed primarily on the basis of three variables – canopy productivity, average nut weight and percentage kernel recovery. These variables will be combined, based on typical world kernel prices, to develop a ranking system that will reflect the economic value of the tree.The weighting of the inputvariables can be changed to suit market demand and grower requirements for productivity.  There are a number of stand-out trees identified both within the formal statistical design of the trial and outside of the trial by subjective observation and these trees will be selected for final collection of data in the 2000 season. Planning is in progress to secure the best selections in plantations in the Northern Territory and in northern Queensland. Yield data will be collected from the replicated trials of the 1988-produced hybrids, planted at Dimbulah and La Belle Downs (NT), during 2000. Commercial arrangements and royalty shares have been agreed between the principal Australian producer, RIRDC and the research agency partners. A royalty will be charged on nuts produced from hybrid trees at 2.5% of the gross return from nut in shell. Arrangements have also been made to license propagation rights for the hybrid for which no royalty will be charged. Establishment of the breeding and genetic values of parental and hybrid lines is planned when all the data from the project are analysed during the course of the Year 2000.


 
 

Project Title	Improved post-harvest handling of lychee
RIRDC Project No.:	CSP-7A
Start Date:	1/01/99
Finish Date:	30/10/01
Researcher:	Dr. Cameron McConchie
Organisation:	CSIRO Plant Industry 306 Carmody Road ST.LUCIA QLD 4067
Phone:	(07) 3214 2248
Fax:	(07) 3214 2272
Email:	cameron.mcconchie@pi.csiro.au
Objectives	· The objective of the research project is to clarify the impact of the major processes involved in post harvest handling of lychee on shelf-life and commercial acceptance. It will examine the critical areas of temperature and disease control. It will also develop new practical and cost effective means of packaging and methods to control rots. It will produce recommendations for best practice based on the research outcomes.
Current Progress	Several measures of fruit quality have been developed for lychee based on fruit colour, the development of rots and fruit firmness. These have been used to assess the effects of cooling methods and storage temperatures on shelf life. Water-cooled fruit retained its colour better than air-cooled fruit, but was more prone to rots. The optimum storage temperature was approximately 5 ° C, with the skin of the fruit suffering from cold-damage at lower temperatures, and being more prone to rots at higher temperatures.  Preliminary work on the use of punnets, covering wraps and humidity regulating inserts has shown that that the shelf life of fruit could be extended with the use of better packaging. A short hot water dip was found to be an effective post-harvest means for the control rots, consistent with earlier reports. In an industry-approved departure from the original proposal, the hot water/acid dipping of fruit that gives a cosmetic, uniform and unnatural, colour to the skin was examined. The colour changes were dramatic, though faded somewhat with storage. From the first two seasons’ work, a first approximation to the best practice for the handling of lychee fruit is being designed for assessment in the third.

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