Developing a macadamia industry tree stock standard (MC17001)

What was it all about?

This project, which ran from 2018 to 2019, developed Australian macadamia nursery production tree stock specifications to improve macadamia orchard productivity through improvements in nursery production and macadamia tree stock physiology and health.

The Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia (NIASA) is a tried and tested platform of nursery stock production, so the project team developed a specialist macadamia appendix to the NIASA Guidelines. This lists the specific criteria required for growing macadamia nursery stock to a standard that meets industry expectations, including aspects of form, graft, roots and trueness to type.

A critical review of Australian and international macadamia nursery production literature and best practice advice was undertaken to address macadamia specific areas and develop a modern best practice standard to support ongoing production of macadamia tree stock. Where gaps were found, modern best practice advice was sought, and guidance given to address those gaps.

The standard provides a foundation to continually improve and support on‐farm non‐commercial production of tree stock. It also allows for auditing and accreditation of a production nursery as meeting the NIASA Macadamia Nursery Stock Specifications standard, to give the macadamia industry a clear guide on sourcing planting stock.

The guidelines are reviewed annually, so governance and administration requirements have also been developed to establish an ongoing basis for the initiative.

The standard has now been completed for inclusion in NGIA's NIASA Best Management Practice Guidelines.