Researchers are future-proofing an Aussie icon, breeding a new macadamia tree to withstand climate change.
Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield said the new trees would also aim to produce bigger and better-quality nuts earlier, and reduce the production cost burden for growers.
Mr Fifield said project, being delivered by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), was focused on breeding trees specifically for Australian conditions.
He said cutting-edge technology was being used to fast-track the process that traditionally could take more than 20 years, opening up opportunities for higher production rates and hopefully increased exports.
“Macadamias are a native Australian nut and a high-value export commodity. This investment is about creating even better adapted trees for the different macadamia growing regions across Australia.
“We hope that by using new technologies we can develop new macadamia varieties that will give growers better yields and a more quality nut that delivers results and profits sooner, with trees that are more productive, resilient and tailored to our unique growing environments.”
Mr Fifield in the last financial year more than 15,000 tonnes of macadamias were exported from Australia.
“We hope to see this continue to grow, but know that this project will be crucial to providing growers with the tools to get there and compete consistently on a global scale.”
He said the project would integrate new technologies such as genetic markers and genomic selection models, phenomics and artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify new species that would lead to increased yield, pest and disease tolerance, and resilience to environmental change.
“These improvements are vital as growers face rising input costs, reduced pollination services due to varroa mite, and limited land availability.”
