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Bundaberg Fruit & Veg Growers Articles

• Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Veg Growers Articles: Mar-06
• Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Veg Growers Articles: Feb-06
• Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Veg Growers Articles: Dec-05
• Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Veg Growers Articles: Nov-05
• Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Veg Growers Articles: Oct-05
• Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Veg Growers Articles: Sep-05

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Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers: Mar-06

With the season plantings having started slowly this year, Silverleaf Whitefly numbers have not been at economic action levels. However, this is not a time to relax as numbers can increase rapidly if the optimal weather conditions arise. Be aware that there is a resistance management strategy in place for Silverleaf Whitefly and ensure that early control is implemented to avoid the build up of large populations.

Most avocado growers will be partway through the harvest of Sheppard variety. There has been a noticeable increase in Loopers and Ivy Leaf Rollers over the last few weeks so growers need to be aware of the potential damage these insects can inflict. This will cause vegetative damage to trees and possible scarring of fruit. Ensure that these pests are controlled if economically damaging levels are reached.

Many of the vegetable crops are at flowering stage. Boron and calcium are critical at this crop stage to ensure adequate pollination and a good fruit set. When fruit are undergoing rapid fruit fill later in season it is too late to effectively rectify any calcium or boron deficiencies, which can often result in blossom end rot.

With rain periods expected to continue, correctly ascertaining when to irrigate after a rain event can be problematic. Precise soil moisture assessment is critical to ensure that irrigation events are matched to crop requirement.

All vegetable growers should be assessing and testing their spray rigs before the season gets away on them. A correctly calibrated spray rig will ensure that the chemicals used for pest and disease control are efficiently and effectively applied.

To avoid problems with damping off of young seedlings, the appropriate systemic fungicides in conjunction with soil moisture management should be used. Over-watering of young seedlings both reduces the development of a root system as well as increases the risk of root or stem disease. There is also no shortcut to the appropriate soil health management program incorporating crop rotation and cover cropping.

Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers: Feb-06

Vegetable seedlings going into the ground at this time of year will require careful management, as soil temperatures will climb into the mid 30's.

Correct irrigation during the early stages of plant growth can greatly improve the development of the young seedlings by reducing the leaching of fertiliser, and make the root system develop by chasing deeper moisture. It will produce a superior young and mature plant compared to a "mothered" young seedling. The use of soil moisture monitoring systems gives the answers to 'how much' and 'how often should I irrigate'.

Hot and humid conditions that are typical of the Bundaberg region in February, are ideal conditions for a range of crop diseases such as pythium and sudden wilt style diseases. Young vegetable crops especially those that have been recently transplanted, are most at risk of suffering from such diseases. Regular crop monitoring will assist in picking up symptoms early, and allow growers to apply curative measures if necessary.

Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers: Dec-05

Over the hot and humid summer months fruit and vegetable crops require extra attention, especially when it comes to irrigation management. Poor irrigation encourages blossom end rot in fruit, and can influence the uptake of essential plant nutrients. Regular and accurate monitoring of crop water use allows growers to adjust their irrigation management to suit daily plant water use, and thereby maximizing yield and quality.

Rainfall events exceeding 5 to 10mm will require a re-application of protective fungicides. High temperatures, combined with a high relative humidity and extended leaf wetness, are the right conditions for such bacterial diseases as erwinia and bacterial spot.

Many insect pests, such as Silver Leaf White Fly can survive between seasons on old crops, creating an established population for next seasons plantings. Removal of crop debris as soon as the last harvest is over will eliminate the regular habitat for many pests, leaving a better starting environment for the new seedlings of next season.

Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers: Nov-05

Avocados have finished flowering, with a good set evident in most varieties. The main pests to watch for at this time of year are fruit-spotting bug and loopers. Although relatively low numbers of these pests have been found so far this season, the cumulative damage that these pests can cause can be significant.

Green vegetable bugs are usually a minor pest of avocados, however they are currently causing damage to fruit. The standard fruit-spotting bug sprays used at this time of year will also give control of green vegetable bug. There have been some monolepta beetle swarms about, particularly after the recent rainfall. Monolepta 'hot spots' should be checked every day if possible and spot sprayed before swarms move through the orchard.

Wind rub can be seen on fruit after windy conditions and storms, especially on young trees. This damage is usually minor and occurs on the bottom or the side of fruit. Wind rub should not be confused with thrips damage, which can be an occasional problem on just a few green skin varieties. Thrip damage usually occurs once fruit reach 12 mm in size, with damage usually starting under the calyx and later to the side of fruit. The main commercial variety affected is Wurtz. No thrips damage to Shepard has been reported in Bundaberg to date. Likewise, no damage from thrips has been observed during the flowering period, this season or in previous seasons.

Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers: Oct-05

For macadamia orchards, most of the flowering is complete with the exception of the later varieties (A series, etc). Flower caterpillar levels have been reasonable during the season. As the last few weeks have been quite dry, growers should be aware that this should attract the green vegetable bugs as the nuts begin to set.

Growers are encouraged to consider releasing the parasitic wasp, Trichogramma toidea cryptophlabea during the macadamia nut borer season. The success of this program will involve a more intensive monitoring schedule and data recording system.

Growers with known 'hotspot' areas should consider establishing a wasp population in advance of a nut borer outbreak in late November or early December. The insects are readily available for purchase.

Report for the Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers: Sep-05

Local macadamia tree's are already in flower setting the crop for this coming season. Crop set and cell division are vital phases in the crops development, to ensure that trees achieve their maximum potential. Growers cannot afford to make mistakes at this point, or crops will struggle for the remainder of the season, and most likely into the next.

Failing to observe critical levels for pest control, irrigation management, and nutrition will affect the efficacy, yield and quality of your production system. Nuts will fall throughout the season for various reasons usually causing panic, unless growers can correctly identify why they have fallen. It is often this sort of panic that leads to excessive spraying and poorly timed chemical applications, which inevitably leads to higher input costs, and disappointment with the result. Incorrectly timed sprays may cause growers to miss the window of opportunity, for precise pest or disease control.

As the trees commence flowering, there are significant changes that occur in both the nutritional requirements as well as the demand for water. Applying trace elements to flowering trees can aid in balancing essential elements required for pollination, cell development and securing a better nut set. Correspondingly, a sound nutrition program will ensure that the tree is capable of holding a respectable yield, and is able to size the nuts whilst ensuring they remain sound.

Irrigation management is also critical at the time of flowering to ensure that the raceme is able to fully extend. Soil moisture management from early nut set is critical to maximise tree health, potential to hold a good set, and to ensure optimal sizing and kernel quality.