November 2018 PIT Group Meetings/Orchard Walks – Paringa and Robinvale

The 2018 Spring Sessions of the PGA PIT Group program was well attended in the two locations it was held.   On Tuesday 20th November there were 23 growers and presenters at Martin Simpfendorfer’s property, Permedah Fruits, just outside of Paringa in South Australia.

Dr. Ben Thomas gave a detailed talk on nutrition for pistachio trees for the Spring season with a particular emphasis on budgeting for the correct nutrition at the correct time with a focus on potassium application with respect to tree uptake and use.   Stuart Pettigrew reported on the latest findings from project PS16000 with respect to insect pests and beneficials found in pistachio orchards involved.  Essentially – at the moment – very few damaging pests found but very high levels of beneficial insects.  Stuart is working in conjunction with the Almond industry which have a project looking at Carpophilus beetle and Carob Moth.  Stuart’s talk was the perfect segue into Brett Rosenzweig’s discussion on the need for orchard sanitation particularly with respect to the problems the almond industry has encountered beginning with the 2013/4 season with Carpophilus beetle and Carob Moth.  Insects that were not a problem prior to the 2010/11 wet season.  New Pistachio Industry Researcher Dr. Subha Abeysinghe delivered a talk on her proposed research program, developed in conjunction with the Pistachio R&D Committee and identified grower requirements for ongoing/increasing healthy yields and tree health.  An extra speaker just for the Paringa meeting was Dr. Shane Phillips from Landmark who talked on the introductory trial on the use of polymer technology to increase chill in Pistachio orchards.  Shane has found that the use of spray applied polymer technology can increase chill portions in the trees ensuring the 59 chill portions required can be reached ensuring good crop set.  This trial is likely to continue.  Following the presentations there was a lengthy field walk looking at crop set, Dr Phillip’s polymer trial, tree health and nutrition status in the Permedah pistachio orchards.

The Lake Powell meeting at Peter Holt’s property had 15 growers and presenters and followed the same format as the Paringa meeting except for Dr Phillips presentation.  Again, a field walk and drive between Peter’s orchards looked at nutrition, pruning, male tree density and general orchard health for young trees.   Both PIT Group meetings were started with a BBQ.

The 2018 Spring Sessions of the PGA PIT Group program included a third meeting aimed specifically at new growers and those who are considering growing pistachios. The meeting was well attended at the Robinvale Golf Club with 24 registered to attend.

Dr. Ben Thomas gave a detailed talk on all aspects of pistachio orchards, from site selection water and nutrition for pistachio trees with emphasis on budgeting for the correct nutrition at the correct time with a focus on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium application with respect to tree uptake and use. Craig Feutrill delivered Stuart Pettigrew’s talk as he was unavailable for this meeting and reported on the latest findings from project PS16000 with respect to insect pests and beneficials found in pistachio orchards involved. Essentially – at the moment – very few damaging pests found but very high levels of beneficial insects. Stuart is working in conjunction with the Almond industry which have a project looking at Carpophilus beetle and Carob Moth. The message from Stuart’s talk was the perfect segue into Brett Rosenzweig’s discussion on the need for orchard sanitation particularly with respect to the problems the almond industry has encountered beginning with the 2013/4 season with Carpophilus beetle and Carob Moth. Insects that were not a problem prior to the 2010/11 wet season that have now developed into a multi-million dollar problem for the Almond industry with no easy solution in sight.