Summary

This project embraces a short term production and phenology phase, integrated with a germplasm/genepool phase. In the initial phase, soil deficit moisture (or droughting) will be manipulated to induce floral induction and concentrate key phenology events so producers can target early market windows. Although the value of this management system was demonstrated over a decade ago, its further development and adoption by industry has not occurred. This will be addressed by employing a focus group of Northern Territory growers and individual farm based plots to implement this technology over two seasons. For more refined improvement of this system in which more extreme soil moisture deficit treatments may damage the trees, evaluation will be performed at the Northern Territory Department of Resources (NTDoR) research blocks.

In the second germplasm/genepool phase, all Australian Nephelium accessions will be sourced and established at NTDoR research stations. This will secure these accessions for use in all future improved breeding, gene marker work, rootstock and scion development. Concurrent with this will be propagation evaluation in which germination, vegetative (i.e. clonal cuttings) and graft compatibility studies will be undertaken. These will form the basis for field plantings of unique stock/scion combinations aimed at developing high density orchard systems, which embrace phenology management that target key market requirements.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

Northern Territory of Australia represented by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Objective Summary

• Within three seasons refine soil moisture deficit techniques which target vegetative flushing, floral induction and harvest time thus allowing NT producers to maintain early market share and regional supply for specific market periods.

• Within 3-5 years consolidate and secure the Australian Nephelium germplasm. Evaluate intra-specific graft compatibilities for potential high-density orchard systems which embrace phenology management targeting key market requirements.