Monday, 2 September 2019

Background

A new Hort Innovation levy-funded project seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of virus detection in plant genetic material in post-entry quarantine facilities, through the adoption of next generation sequencing.

Utilisation of this sequencing technology will improve current methods and techniques to allow for quicker access to new genetic stocks. The technology is a cost-effective option which has potential to increase business resilience, by allowing the import of larger panels of genetic stocks to adapt to local environmental conditions.

Past research has found utilising next generation sequencing has great promise; strongly correlating with methods currently used at post entry quarantine (PEQ) facilities.

In 2018, the Australian horticultural sector exported an estimated $2.4 billion of produce highlighting the importance of importing ‘clean’ and true-to-type plant materials that improve biosecurity and provide access to valuable markets.

Run by The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in collaboration with Agriculture Victoria, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries (NZ MPI), the project aims to develop a useful tool for plant pathologists, enabling users to conduct shorter, more efficient and accurate plant pest screenings.

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Thursday, 15 August 2019

Nursery & Garden Industry Australia has teamed up with the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Department of Agriculture to deliver a series of free and practical plant protection workshops for growers in Northern Australia.

Held across the NT, QLD and WA, the workshops will assist growers on how to implement an effective plant protection program. Attendees will learn how to create a program that assists in the prevention, mitigation and assessment of pests in production nurseries.

Each workshop will also cover best practice resources for the nursery industry, such as BioSecure HACCP, as well as the following topics:

• Introduction to key elements of plant protection programmes in nursery production
• How plant protection in nursery productions aligns with components of Best Management Practice and biosecurity programmes
• How to access information on developing plant protection programmes
• How to apply plant protection principles in developing detailed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans
• Practical crop monitoring procedures.

NGIA has engaged Technical Advisor at NGIQ, Lex McMullin, to deliver the workshop series. A representative from Biological Services, a national IPM service company, will also provide implementation and monitoring tips on the day.

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Wednesday, 31 July 2019

Local regulation and the level of community support play an integral role when it comes to the establishment and retention of trees on private land. 

That’s according to the University of Melbourne, which is leading a nine-month project funded by Hort Innovation using nursery industry levies and funds from the Australian Government.

Commencing in May 2019, the aim is to clarify which mechanisms may be suitable, and effective, for Australian local councils to consider in terms of establishing and retaining more trees on private land. More

Thursday, 25 July 2019

A new project will assess the potential for natural disasters and severe weather events to impact upon Australia’s nursery industry. It will also develop useful resources aimed at better preparedness, speedier recovery and stronger resilience.

The two-year project, which commenced in July 2019, is managed by Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland (NGIQ) and funded by Hort Innovation using nursery industry levies and funds from the Australian Government.

Phase one of the project is underway, with the team examining the various vulnerabilities faced by Australian production nurseries. For instance, the fact that many nurseries are necessarily located on flat land with close proximity to a water source, potentially increases their risk of flood.

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