The results from citrus and apple crop netting trials undertaken in the Riverland will be released at a Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin workshop next month to provide insights into the productivity improvements that were identified.
Natural Resource’s SAMDB irrigation officer Jeremy Nelson said the workshop would highlight the results of research and explain how recent changes to development regulations would potentially reduce the complexity for developers and make it easier to work with local government.
“The research project which is linked to the SA River Murray Sustainability program managed by Primary Industries and Regions SA has identified that these benefits are directly related to reductions in solar radiation and the incidence of severe wind events,” Mr Nelson said.
The University of Adelaide will present a final report on the results of netting trials in apple and citrus crops on; water usage, micro-climates, tonnages and yield quality.
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will present an overview of recent changes to the development regulations related to horticultural netting, and how these changes provided benefits for future development in the region.
Mr Nelson said the research project had shown that yield class and quality lifted significantly in observed imperial mandarin crops.
“While netted apple trees have undergone a structural change in response to the reduced incidence of wind and sun and this is just beginning to bring out stronger yield and fruit quality responses this season,” he said.
Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to ask an expert panel questions related to research findings, development application processes, integrated pest management and netting installation and establishment.
The workshop will be held on Thursday, May 17, from 9-12.30pm at the Loxton Research Centre.
Registrations can be made to agriculture project officer Jeremy Nelson on 8580 1800 or jeremy.nelson@sa.gov.au.
