PIT Group Sessions Vinifera, Cobdogla 27th and 28th July 2022
Topics
The 2023 Winter PIT Group meetings covering topics including:
- Chill, oil and polymer sprays
- Benchmarking data
- Orchard management and monitoring
- Orchard sanitation post-harvest
- Potential insect pests
Nyah West, VIC & Cobdogla, SA
27th and 28th July 2022
- PGA Research update covering chill, oil and polymer sprays, benchmarking – Dr Maha Mahadevan, PGA
- Getting the Best from your Orchard: Fertilisers, Chelates and Monitoring – Jake Butler, Swan Hill Chemicals
- Orchard Sanitation Post-Harvest – Craig Feutrill
- Potential Insect Pests of Australian Pistachio Orchards – Craig Feutrill
The second round of PIT Groups for 2022 were held at The Grand Hotel, Nyah West then Jeff Dickinson’s orchard on Wednesday 27th of July 2022. The second session was held on Thursday 28th of July in Cobdogla, South Australia at Ian McFarlane’s orchard.
This page has a brief summary of the meetings, the full meeting report, the presentations in PDF form, photographs from the day and the 11 videos of the Cobdogla PIT Group session.
Both PIT Group sessions were well attended, with a total of 45 growers and industry personnel attending across both venues.
James Simpfendorfer filmed proceedings at the Cobdogla session and during the field walk and spliced in the presentations. Thank you very much James!
PGA researcher, Dr Maha Mahadevan kicked off the presentations at both sessions. Maha presented a summary of her research to date, future research plans and the latest industry benchmarking data. Dr Mahadevan’s talk covered topics including;
- Regional chill measurements
- Oiland polymer spray trials to offset lack of chill
- Industry Benchmarking and
- Future research plans
- The program focuses on a combination of fertiliser applications through the ground via irrigation as well as foliar applied.
- Product selection based off a similar Almond fertiliser program which have seen above average yields in the Sunraysia/Mallee region.
- Focusing mainly on liquid products when possible, for ease of mixing and OH & S reasons.
- Targeting seasonal Pistachio NPK requirements from Californian Pistachio data, with 90% in the growing season & 10% post harvest.
- Soil microbial and root stimulant products to promote root health, soil health and microbial activity.
- Adjusting to half rates for unestablished or non-bearing trees.
- Encouraging regular sap & leaf nutrient analysis throughout the season to allow for timely adjustments.
- Annual or Bi-Annual soil testing to monitor nutrient levels and pH trends.