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Research projects

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Browse and tap into research projects pushing the boundaries of agrifood innovation and science in rural industries.
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3728 research projects

Pilot sterile codling moth releases for the apple industry logo
Research project

Pilot sterile codling moth releases for the apple industry

Hort Innovation

This project will develop recommendations for the integration of sterile codling moth (SCM) into existing apple and pear management and production programs in Australia. It will review the current-status of codling moth in Australian apple and pear growing regions and establish release sites to determine the efficacy of SCM in...

18 Oct 2019 - 1 Jun 2023

New South Wales, Australia

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Advancing apple orchard systems logo
Research project

Advancing apple orchard systems

Hort Innovation

This project will develop “smarter” apple orchards to improve apple quality and maximise apple yield whilst increasing labour efficiency. The aim is to improve orchard management by using sensing systems to monitor fruit development and explore opportunities for robotic harvesting. Strategies to adapt to changes in climate including reviewing planting...

26 Jun 2020 - 31 Jul 2023

New South Wales, Australia

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) [Vic]

Technology review for fruit traceability at every stage of the Apple and Pear fruit production and supply chain logo
Research project

Technology review for fruit traceability at every stage of the Apple and Pear fruit production and supply chain

Hort Innovation

This investment is exploring available technologies that could improve traceability in the apple and pear supply chain. This research will inform the development of traceability solutions for the industry, with expected benefits including reducing supply chain costs and improving market access through enhanced biosecurity and food safety processes. There may...

2 Oct 2020 - 30 Jul 2021

New South Wales, Australia

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) [Vic]

Developing smarter and sustainable pear orchards logo
Research project

Developing smarter and sustainable pear orchards

Hort Innovation

This investment is providing the pear industry with new technology and advanced management systems to improve fruit quality, maximise pear yield whilst increasing labour efficiency under increasing climate variability, including extreme heat. The project will investigate the long-term effects of tree density, rootstocks and tree training on yield, colour expression,...

26 Jun 2020 - 31 Jul 2023

New South Wales, Australia

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) [Vic]

Soil health and plant nutrition in Australian Apple and Pear orchards logo
Research project

Soil health and plant nutrition in Australian Apple and Pear orchards

Hort Innovation

The outcome of this project is to achieve more efficient use of resources (nutrients, water and soil) through improved orchard floor management to improve fruit quality outcomes. This project aims to increase understanding of how soils function with a particular focus on how soil biology contributes to apple and pear...

30 Jun 2020 - 31 Jul 2023

New South Wales, Australia

University of Tasmania (UTAS)

National tree genomics program for horticulture logo
Research project

National tree genomics program for horticulture

Hort Innovation

This program is about harnessing cutting-edge genetic technologies for the benefit of Australian horticultural tree crop industries. New tools are currently being developed in the program to enable Australian plant breeders to deliver new varieties with key productivity and profitability traits, and new tools for growers to enhance farm productivity....

1 Sep 2018 - 1 Dec 2023

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Queensland (UQ), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland (DAFQ)

Demonstration of functional driverless tractor for Australian horticulture logo
Research project

Demonstration of functional driverless tractor for Australian horticulture

Hort Innovation

Hort Innovation has contracted the Almond Board of Australia to investigate the impediments to update of driverless technology in the Australian almond industry, review the technology options available and to demonstrate the technology at the Almond demo farm in Loxton SA.

30 Jun 2020 - 1 Jun 2024

New South Wales, Australia

Almond Board of Australia

Developing management strategies to enhance the recovery from bushfires logo
Research project

Developing management strategies to enhance the recovery from bushfires

Hort Innovation

This project will assess the short and long-term effects of bushfires in apple orchards and other tree crops in New South Wales and South Australia. The work will focus on gaining a better understanding of responses of fruit and trees to fire to better equip growers to deal with bushfire...

24 Jun 2020 - 30 May 2025

New South Wales, Australia

New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)

Maximising yield and reducing seasonal variation logo
Research project

Maximising yield and reducing seasonal variation

Hort Innovation

This project is developing the knowledge and tools needed to manipulate and maximise avocado tree yields. Specifically, the project is looking at resource competition between shoots and fruits, potentially providing for new methods of reducing fruit drop. Because vegetative shoot growth coincides with fruit development in avocado trees, competition exists...

31 May 2017 - 31 Aug 2021

New South Wales, Australia

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Improved Disease Management in Avocado Orchards logo
Research project

Improved Disease Management in Avocado Orchards

Hort Innovation

This investment is identifying strategies to minimise the effects of key diseases in avocado orchards and in fruit as it progresses through the supply chain. The project has a focus on diseases including Phytophthora root rot, hellinus brown root rot, nectriaceous black root rot, stem end rot, branch and graft...

6 Nov 2017 - 5 May 2022

New South Wales, Australia

The University of Queensland (UQ)