Four parts to the research

• Part 1 – SEQ Phytophthora cinnamomi Isolate Potassium Phosphonate Sensitivity Testing

  • Has there been a shift in isolate sensitivity resulting from repeated high application rates of potassium phosphonate in South East Queensland (SEQ) pineapple production systems?

• Part 2 – Glasshouse Aeroponics Study on Potassium Phosphonate x Phytophthora cinnamomi

  • What level of phosphite in pineapple roots provides adequate levels of protection against Phytophthora cinnamomi?

• Part 3 – Glasshouse Pot Trial on Potassium Phosphonate x Calcium Availability

  • Do high application rates of phos acid interfere with calcium availability?

• Part 4 – South East Queensland Commercial Pineapple Farm Root Phosphite Benchmarking

  • What levels of phosphite are being achieved in pineapple roots with different application methods and use patterns in SEQ pineapple production systems?

JUSTIFICATION

Discussed at SEQ Regional Priority Setting Study Group

• #1 Regional priority is chemical access (outside project scope)

• #2 Regional priority is Phytophthora cinnamomi/phos acid

  • Request for better understanding of potassium phosphonate, and a minor use permit that reflects current pattern of use (in-crop sprays)

OBJECTIVES

This research aims to improve chemical control of Phytophthora cinnamomi (PC) on commercial pineapple farms using potassium phosphonate (phos acid). A better understanding of the relationship between root phosphite levels and host resistance would allow the adoption of root sampling as a management tool, empowering growers to make informed decisions on chemical application. This approach is likely to maintain plant health during periods of high disease pressure and minimise unnecessary chemical applications when root phosphite levels are sufficient. Additionally, we aim to determine whether high rates of phos acid application result in cation interactions within the growing point.

OUTCOMES

Outcomes include giving growers a tool to aid decision making, increasing plant health and possibly reducing natural flowering as a result, minimising unnecessary sprays that may accumulate and have an adverse effect on crop growth (phytotoxicity), and increasing farm productivity and profitability.

Two treatments, three replicates of each – Irrigated (subsurface drip tape), and non-irrigated

Monitoring – Soil water content probes to guide application

Data will be collected on a range of plant variables including fresh weight of whole plants, d leaves etc. on a monthly basis. In addition to this, postharvest assessment of fruit will be conducted to gain further insight into treatment effects on fruit quality.

JUSTIFICATION

Discussed at 2023 Pineapple Think Tank

• Weaknesses – fruit consistency, natural flowering, updating technology and methods, high input costs

• Threats – Input costs rising, climate, red tape/regulation

• Solutions – Precision agriculture, automation, innovation for cost management

Discussed at WB Regional Priority Setting Study Group

• #1 Regional priority is irrigation

• Need a better understanding of irrigation in pines, Golden Circle incentive, how irrigation affects phytophthora and how irrigation affects natural flowering.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to explore whether precision irrigation can be used to increase the productivity and profitability of pineapple production systems when compared to non-irrigated production.

• Is there an increase in marketable yield/fruit size that results from the use of irrigation in pineapple production systems?

• Does irrigation reduce natural flowering when compared to unirrigated pineapple production?

• Does irrigation affect the incidence of phytophthora heart rot?

OUTCOMES

In this research we will ascertain whether there is an increase in marketable yield/fruit size that results from the use of irrigation in pineapple production systems. Quantify whether irrigation reduces natural flowering when compared to unirrigated pineapple production and determine if irrigation affects the incidence of phytophthora heart rot.

Three parts to the research

• Nutrition program survey COMPLETED

  • What do NQ hybrid nutrition programs consist of?

• Soil and leaf testing

  • What are the soil and leaf nutrient levels being achieved on NQ pineapple farms?

• Formulation of on-farm nutrition trial

  • Are certain nutrients being applied in excess, or at levels below, crop requirements? Will the optimisation of these nutrition programs result in a reduction in natural flowering and/or increases in shelf life through changes to fruit quality/robustness?

JUSTIFICATION

Discussed at 2023 Pineapple Think Tank

• Weaknesses – fruit quality, lack of agronomic knowledge, high input costs

• Threats – Input costs rising, red tape (reef compliance etc.)

• Solutions – Precision agriculture (soil and leaf testing - fertiliser optimisation)

Discussed at NQ Regional Priority Setting Study Group

• #1 Regional priority is hybrid nutrition (73-50 & MD2)

• Soil and leaf analysis, guidance on leaf sampling protocols, identify appropriate macronutrient levels, possible link between fruit quality and robustness, possible link between nutrition and natural flowering.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to optimise the nutrition programs on NQ pineapple farms. We will achieve this by gaining a better understanding of their nutrition programs, and then discovering what soil and leaf nutrient levels are being achieved with these current practices. This will provide us with the foundations to formulate a relevant on-farm nutrition trial addressing relevant nutrient deficiencies/luxury consumption. The relationship between plant nutrition and natural flowering/fruit robustness will also be quantified.

OUTCOMES

Increase the quality of fruit being produced, optimise crop nutrition inputs, build capacity in agronomic knowledge, reduce input costs, reduce natural flowering, and provision of extension material and nutrient budgeting tools.

Three parts to the research

1. Assist growers to gain familiarity with new crop protectants

2. Develop/adapt a crop monitoring program

3. Investigate the potential of biocontrol agents for mealybug and mite control

JUSTIFICATION

Discussed at 2023 Pineapple Think Tank

• Weaknesses – reliance on broad spectrum chemicals, updating technology and methods

• Threats – Chemical access, environmental pressures

Discussed at CQ Regional Priority Setting Study Group

• #1 Regional priority was salinity, consensus achieved on reprioritisation to crop protection

• Nematode, symphylid and mite control and monitoring (later added mealybug due to concern over loss of older crop protection chemistry)

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to assist growers in developing a more sustainable crop protection toolbox, that is moving towards an integrated pest management (IPM) approach.

OUTCOMES

Increase the growers experience and understanding of newer crop protection chemistry, delivery of information on sustainable pest management strategies to slow the onset of resistance to available chemistry and explore the potential of biocontrol agents.

Trial number: SA04NQ-04

INTRODUCTION

The Australian pineapple industry has struggled with weed infestations throughout its history. During this time there have been key herbicides that have controlled weed populations effectively. Diuron is one of these and plays an important role. Over the last 20 years there has been substantial focus on Diuron and its effects on the environment including the Great Barrier Reef and the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Across many commodities including pineapples, Diuron has been either de-registered or its use on-farm reduced by restrictions introduced by the Agricultural Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

It is critical for the Australian pineapple industry to find alternative herbicides to replace Diuron. This demonstration screened two experimental herbicides as possible replacements for Diuron in the pineapple industry.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate two new experimental herbicides as potential replacements for Diuron. Steps in this trial:

1. Observe weedicide efficacy in a pineapple production system.

2. Observe potential phytotoxic effects on a pineapple crop.

3. Identify product application rates, spray volumes and application methods to suit a pineapple production system.

Trial number: SA03SEQ-02

INTRODUCTION

The Australian pineapple industry has been growing the Smooth Cayenne variety for over one hundred years. It has been the traditional variety for processing and the fresh market. In the 1980s a hybrid variety known as 73-50 was introduced from Hawaii. In the last twenty years it has become the predominant fresh market variety due to its superior sweetness, acidity levels and aromatic flavour.

When comparing farming practices to Smooth Cayenne, the 73-50 requires greater agronomic attention and often higher inputs. Fertiliser and pesticide inputs are much higher to accommodate the substantially weaker root system and smaller crop canopy.  Fruit size is typically smaller than Smooth Cayenne and the ability to generate a ratoon crop is limited with many growers opting for a plant crop only with no ratoon.

The market is demanding continuity of supply all year round, narrower supply specifications and pressure to supply fruit at cheap prices. These targets are placing extra strains on growers and are amplified especially during adverse weather conditions such as drought, flood and extremes of cold and hot climatic temperatures experienced over the last five years.

This demonstration trial evaluated post-induction fertiliser programs in 73-50 to support flower and fruit development and potential improvements in yield during a plant crop cycle.

OBJECTIVE

Develop a post-induction nutrition program to:

1. Identify any positive or negative changes in growth and yield in the plant crop cycle.

2. Identify any financial gains or losses that result from additional fertiliser applications after flower initiation.

Research Topic 3: Pre- and post-plant nutrition management

Trial numbers: SA02WB-01 and SA03WB-03

INTRODUCTION

A pineapple crop needs substantial nutritional requirements to effectively grow commercial yields. These nutritional requirements are required both in the pre-plant and post plant stages of crop growth. They consist of large amounts of macro elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as small amounts of micro elements such as zinc, iron, copper and boron. Traditionally, the nutritional requirements have been met through inorganic fertilisers for example urea, potash, magnesium sulphate, etc.  

Research undertaken by Cyril Ciesiolka from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the 1990s indicated that there is a substantial amount of nutrition in the ratoon crop plants prior to crop destruction, for example 1.2 tonnes per hectare of elemental nitrogen and 1.6 tonnes per hectare of elemental potash. Each ratoon crop consists of approximately 130 tonnes of plant matter per hectare. This is traditionally destroyed by the grower using four to six passes with a rotary hoe which leaves most of the crop residue on the surface of the soil to breakdown. With this practice much of the nutrition and organic matter is not returned to the soil to be utilised by the next crop. By replacing some of the rotary hoe passes with mulching implements for crop destruction, better use can be made of the remnant nutrition in the plant residue by incorporating it back into the soil profile. Furthermore, incorporating organic compost, and growing and incorporating crop residue from fallow crops can further contribute to pre-plant nutritional requirements and supplement inorganic fertilisers. 

In Australia the industry is located near the coast, often close to sensitive environmental areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay Marine Park. It is also often grown on sandy soils that are prone to soil erosion. As well as potential environmental impacts there are also increasing concerns about rising fertiliser costs, so managing nutrient inputs has never been more important. The key issue of concern is off-farm deposition of nutrients, primarily nitrogen. High levels of nutrients in the water can have a negative impact on aquatic environments, for example by causing blue green algae blooms.  It is important for pineapple farmers to manage their fertiliser programs efficiently and reduce losses of fertilisers from the farm. Measures include only applying amounts that will be used by the crop, reducing the movement of water across the farm and as far as possible retaining applied nutrients on the farm so they are not contaminating the environment.

This demonstration trial focused on comparing traditional crop destruction practices against the integration of mulchers to better manage crop residue and its nutrient content. It also looked at the effects of adding compost and additional biomass from fallow crops.

OBJECTIVE

Supplement pre-plant inorganic fertiliser requirements and improve soil health through:

1. Improving release of nutrient back into the soil profile from better incorporation of residue from the previous crop using a mulcher.

2. Planting break crops in the fallow period then incorporating them into the soil.

3. Incorporating compost into the soil profile.

Research Topic 5: Management Erosion and Sedimentation

Trial number: SA01WB-02 and SA05WB-02

INTRODUCTION

The pineapple industry is located in the coastal areas across Queensland for its warm climate, well-drained soils and limited exposure to cold winters and frost. There are a number of risks associated to these coastal regions due to their close proximity to sensitive environmental areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay Marine Park. These coastal areas are renowned for their tropical climates with high annual rainfalls and predominantly sandy loam soils which are more prone to erosion.

The key issues of concern is off-farm deposition of sediment, pesticide and nutrient. Sediment is the key component which has been identified as a primary element impacting aquatic species and their habitats. Sediment deposited onto reefs can smother corals and interfere with their ability to feed, grow, and reproduce.  Sediment can also act as a carrier for pesticide such as Diuron.  Pesticides such as Diuron directly kill marine vegetation such as sea grasses which are the fundamental parts of the food chain.  Excessive nutrient such as nitrogen can give rise to vegetative species that have a negative impact in aquatic environments such as blue green algae.  It is important for pineapple farmers to manage the movement of soil and water across the farm and to capture and treat run off.

This demonstration focuses on fundamental soil erosion management strategies to mitigate soil loss infield and outfield with focus on block layout and drain stabilisation.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the amount of soil erosion using different block layouts and observe different erosion preventative strategies to manage surface water flow and mitigate off-farm sediment deposition in outfield areas across the farm.

Trial number: SA01SEQ-01

INTRODUCTION

Farm planning is a decision-making process which involves the organisation and management of limited resources to realise specific business goals. Farm planning involves selecting the most profitable course of action from amongst all possible alternatives.

The ultimate objective of farm planning is to maximize the net income of the farmer through improved resource use. Farm planning helps the farmer examine existing resources, compare past experiences and identify the various needs for the operation. A farm plan is a programme of total farm activities. An optimum farm plan will satisfy all the resource constraints at the farm level and yield the maximum profit. A good farm plan has flexibility to account for changes in the environment.

This demonstration will evaluate a number of technologies and methods available to improve the farm planning process and support the layout, design and location of farm blocks and infrastructure such as drains, bioreactors, etc.

OBJECTIVE

Demonstrate various technologies to help growers make better on-farm decisions in their farm planning process. 

Evaluate the outcomes of using this technology to reduce soil erosion through better location of drains and other infrastructure.

Trial number: 05-WB-03

INTRODUCTION

Fertilisers and pesticides are major inputs in pineapple production. There are increasing concerns about their potential environmental impact, so managing these inputs has never been more important. The industry is located in the coastal areas of Queensland for its warm climate, well-drained soils and limited exposure to cold winters and frost.

The high rainfall events and predominantly sandy loams in this coastal area pose a soil erosion risk which coupled with their proximity to sensitive environmental areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay Marine Park are a challenge for growers.

The key issues of concern are off-farm deposition of sediment, pesticide and nutrient. Sediment has been identified as a primary element impacting aquatic species and their habitats. Sediment deposited onto reefs can smother corals and interfere with their ability to feed, grow, and reproduce.  Sediment can also act as a carrier for pesticides such as diuron.  Pesticides such as diuron directly kill marine vegetation such as sea grasses which are important parts of the food chain.  High levels of nutrients in the water can have a negative impact on aquatic environments, for example by causing blue green algae blooms. 

It is important for pineapple farmers to manage their fertiliser and pesticide programs efficiently and reduce losses of soil, pesticides and fertilisers from the farm. Measures include only applying amounts that will be used by the crop, reducing the movement of soil and water across the farm and as far as possible retaining them on the farm so they are not contaminating the environment.

This demonstration trial focuses on a redesign of the traditional silt trap into a shallow sediment pond and evaluating its capacity to reduce fertiliser and pesticide in water leaving the farm. 

OBJECTIVE

1. To capture the first 25 mm rainfall per hectare. The reason is that the first 25mm of run off is generally considered to contain 75% of the fertiliser and pesticides likely to run off the field.

2. Evaluate the potential to degrade pesticides in the soil and water run-off through greater exposure to heat and sunlight in a shallow, broad sediment pond.

3. Monitor the levels of pesticides and nutrients in the water and sediment to see if they drop over time.

Trial number: 05-SEQ-01

INTRODUCTION

In agriculture and horticulture soil erosion removes valuable top soil which is the most valuable asset for farmers. The loss of this top soil results in lower yields and higher production costs. When top soil is gone, erosion can cause rills and gullies that make the cultivation of paddocks impossible. It also sends soil-laden water downstream, which can create heavy layers of sediment that prevent streams and rivers from flowing smoothly and can eventually lead to flooding. 

Soil stabilisers are an important tool in mitigating soil erosion. Soil stabilisers function by binding soil particles together and improving resistance to water flow. Stabilisation can increase the shear strength and ‘shrink-swell’ properties of a soil, thus improving the soil’s ability to withstand the influences of wind, rainfall and water flow. Geopolymers bind dust particles and particulate matter through their strong binding properties and flexibility. 

The geopolymers tested in this trial are suitable for low to moderately trafficked areas and their non-hazardous formulation make them easy to apply, usually curing within a few hours, they will not remobilise into the surrounding environment.

OBJECTIVE

This demonstration trial set out to evaluate practices to stabilise the soil surface at the source of soil erosion. The practices were:

• Establishing a ‘living mulch’ into a field with a standard industry herbicide program.

• Retrofit a standard industry headland sprayer into a precision application inter-row sprayer.

• Examine the potential for stabilising herbicides on the soil surface by combining them with geopolymers.

Trial number: 04-WB-06

INTRODUCTION

Pineapples are infested by a variety of pests. Those that affect pineapple crops include a wide range of insects, diseases, nematodes and weeds. Soil types, climatic factors, crop stages and crop management practices affect the intensity of pest infestations. An integrated approach comprising cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical measures are most commonly used in managing these pests. The primary goal to keep pest populations below economic threshold levels to avoid serious crop losses.

This report describes the evaluation of several different products for the management of weeds and nematodes. The lack of management options for these pests have been identified as key gaps for growers in the Australian pineapple in industry.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and screen new products with weed and nematode control capabilities.

Trial number: 04-WB-06

INTRODUCTION

Pineapples are affected by a variety of pests including insects, diseases, nematode and weeds.  Soil types, climatic factors, crop stages and crop management practices affect the intensity of pest infestations. An integrated approach comprising cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical measures are most commonly used in managing these pests. The primary goal is to keep pest populations below economic threshold levels to avoid serious crop losses.

Biofilm Crop Protection is a microbial biotechnology company that developed products to target pests and diseases of economic importance.  This trial evaluates a number of Biofilm products that focus on managing nematodes, phytophthora root rot and enhancing of nitrogen.

OBJECTIVE

This exercise will evaluate a number of Biofilm products on the management of nematodes and phytophthora root rot and will increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser use by pineapples compared with traditional mineral fertilisers.

More specifically:

1. To observe the effects of biological nematicide and fungicide products on pineapple root health to improve soil and plant biology.

2. To observe the effects of nitrogen enhancing products on pineapple crop growth.

3. To undertake a cost analysis of the experimental program compared with standard practices.

4. To investigate any yield improvements at plant crop harvest.

Trial number 03-WB-05

INTRODUCTION

Fertilisers and pesticides contribute significantly to the cost of pineapple production. With growing concerns about their potential environmental impact and increasing costs, using these products efficiently and effectively has never been more important.

Traditionally, hauled trailers with large tanks and extended booms fitted with hydraulic nozzles are used to apply fertiliser and pesticide. 

The key to efficient boom spray operations is to maximize application to the target area and minimize application to non-target areas.

The design and calibration of the sprayer needs to consider crop parameters such as type and area of the plant canopy, area of plant leaf, height of the crop and the product being applied.

Precision agriculture seeks to use new technologies to increase crop yields and profitability while lowering the levels of traditional inputs needed to grow them. Precision spraying can be defined as targeted spraying using specific crop information and efficiently applying pesticides and fertilisers to the target area.

This demonstration trial compared boom spray operations using precision application methods against more traditional non-precision application methods.  It includes economic and agronomics analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate precision spraying in pineapples to improve fertiliser and pesticide efficiency and reduce off-farm deposition of these chemicals.

Specifically:

• Improve the application efficiency of foliar fertilisers and pesticides particularly during early growth stages when traditional broadacre boom spray equipment wastes product on non-target areas such as the inter-row and sides of the bed.

• Direct product to the target areas by only applying it over the plant rows.

• Show how traditional boom sprayers can be modified for a relatively low cost to reduce the amount of chemicals and fertilisers needed.

• Reduce the amount of fertilisers and chemicals applied to non-crop areas such as headlands and drains by giving the spray operator the ability to independently control different sections of the boom.

Trial number: 03-SEQ-04

INTRODUCTION

Boom spraying is a common practice employed in pineapple production internationally. It is used for pesticide application to manage diseases, insect pests and weeds and for post-plant fertiliser applications.  

Sectional and variable rate control on the boom sprayer for more precise application of chemicals and fertilisers is attracting interest due to its economic and environmental benefits.

The main aim of automated sectional and variable rate control systems is to reduce over-spray of crop inputs by turning off boom sections as they pass over previously treated areas or areas that don’t need spraying. Some systems have the capability to only spray within pre-loaded GPS field boundaries or boundaries recorded by the operator during an initial pass around the field of the block using manual entry of GPS co-ordinates. This map-based function ensures that boom sections are automatically turned off when passing over areas outside cropped regions of the field. An added benefit of this boundary mapping feature is that some systems allow the operator to map interior field areas to prevent application into environmentally sensitive areas such as grassed waterways or stream buffers.

Another important requirement for automatic boom sectional control systems is to maintain application rates by regulating flow to the boom. Current spray rate controllers attempt to compensate for changes in speed which control pump output based on feedback from a sensor continually scanning the ground. Similarly, sectional control systems require an integrated spray rate controller to adjust total flow to compensate for boom sections as they are switched on or off.

All auto-sectional control systems use GPS to work out the precise point at which boomsprayer sections should be switched on and off to minimise overspray and avoid any misses. There are several spraying systems available, either as options on new sprayers or as retrofits to existing sprayers.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective is to adapt, develop and integrate variable and sectional rate boomspray application equipment and aerial imagery into a pineapple production system.

1. To adapt, develop and construct a variable and sectional rate boomspray.

2. To integrate Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology into a pineapple boomspray operation to enable the variable and sectional rate boomspray to function.

3. To integrate imagery into pineapple operations and utilise the data for better agronomic decision making.

Trial numbers: 04-SEQ-02 and 04-NQ-03

INTRODUCTION

Soil fumigation is often used where high-value agricultural and horticultural crops are grown in long-term monoculture. Soil fumigants provide benefits to growers in managing a wide range of pests and diseases, including nematodes, fungi, bacteria, insects, and weeds.

Soil fumigation is used as a pre-plant chemical treatment of soil, using a pesticide product that converts to a volatile gas. The chemical compounds used in soil fumigation have low boiling points and high vapor pressures enabling them to diffuse through open pore spaces through the soil profile.

Soil fumigation can temporarily increase plant growth and yield. In the case of major pineapple pests such as nematodes, the cysts and juveniles are almost never completely eradicated from a field by fumigation, and a small population left over after fumigation can build up rapidly. Additionally, the cost of fumigation per hectare is very high and identifying crop benefits and pest efficacy is critical in determining economic viability.

OBJECTIVE

1. To compare the effectiveness of new and existing fumigants for improving yields, especially in the ratoon.

2. To observe the efficacy of fumigation on the full range of soil borne pineapple pests and diseases.

3. To undertake a cost analysis of the different fumigants.

Trial number: 02-WB-02

INTRODUCTION

There are a number of farming systems that involve the injection of liquid into the furrow to provide operational efficiency, crop protection, soil improvement and yield improvement benefits. Precision in-furrow liquid injection has the potential to deliver products to improve soil conditions and optimise the establishment of healthy crops.

The effectiveness of nearly all in-furrow liquid applications is dependent on the precision and accuracy of the equipment being used. To ensure every plant gets the required amount of liquid, in-furrow liquids need to be delivered evenly across the blocks. Without accuracy plants may suffer from over or under application which can impact germination, plant growth and ultimately crop yields. These impacts may be more pronounced at very low application rates. It is critical to ensure the liquid injection systems are accurate to achieve the desired crop outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective is to develop, build and integrate a precision in-furrow injection system into the pineapple planting operation to improve plant establishment and uniformity.

1. To develop, build and integrate a machine to apply precision in-furrow injection at planting.

2. To improve root establishment in the critical first six months of growth.

3. To improve plant establishment under drought conditions.