Improving avocado irrigation efficiency and effectiveness in Australia (AV23013)

What is it all about?

The project is providing new irrigation management tools and knowledge to help Australian avocado growers improve productivity, quality and return on investment.

Challenge

There is widespread interest in using new tools including sap flow sensors and dendrometers to manage irrigation, but there are not validated guidelines on how to use that information correctly. Unresolved questions remain on drip vs sprinkler and the use of new technology, and growers and irrigators need to have access to this information in a readily useable form.

Response

The project team will generate new information and extension resources, engaging internationally recognised experts to lead the sap flow, dendrometer, and evaporative cooling research, and to conduct the technical reviews. The research will be undertaken on commercial farms of high-profile avocado producers in Central Qld, North Qld and Western Australia. The crop irrigation will be managed by experienced growers, with irrigation treatments imposed using different sprinkler outputs in randomised, replicated experiments, closely monitored by experienced project field staff. The communications outputs will be accurate, easy-to-read materials targeting growers and agronomists. The project will integrate with the national Avocado industry development and extension project (AV23010) and engage with industry organisations and major commercial suppliers of sensors, and irrigation management software.

Benefit

The resources developed by this project will enable Australian avocado growers to make better informed decisions about their irrigation management, leading to improved profitability, efficiency and sustainability.