Almond growth and development

This project is building confidence in the almond industry by improving the efficiency of production through transitioning to higher density orchard systems. The South Australian Research and Development Institute proposes to meet this objective by continuing the long-term monitoring of production and metrics that identify resource-use efficiency. This research has been facilitated through the recently established experimental orchards at the Almond Centre of Excellence.

Established in 2015, this project is being conducted as part of a coordinated research program into boosting almond productivity and profitability. Because spurs bear the vast majority of fruit (nuts) on almond varieties used in Australia, spur population dynamics are of interest in understanding yield fluctuations and trying to maintain high yields from season to season. To this end, this project is investigating the behaviour of fruiting spurs of Nonpareil and Carmel almond cultivars, and is looking at the effects of environmental and management factors including tree architecture, light interception, irrigation and nutrition.

Established in 2014, this project is being conducted as part of a coordinated research program into boosting almond productivity and profitability. It has a specific focus on tree architecture and the development of new growing systems. It involves a range of field trials involving pruning and light management approaches.

Established in 2014, this project is being conducted as part of a coordinated research program into boosting almond productivity and profitability. It aims to support more informed rootstock choice, more efficient irrigation strategies and more efficient use of nutrition. It involves rootstock screening for resilience to soil-water deficits and high soil conductivity; analysis of root function under different irrigation and nutrition regimens and more.