RESEARCH & EVENTS
Chatting orchard intensification with Dr Xavier Miarnau
XAVIER Miarnau is a scientist specialising in almond crop at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology ( IRTA ) based at the Lleida Experimental Station in Spain . He works on topics related to plant breeding ( he is involved in the IRTA almond breeding program ), plant physiology and crop technology . He has published over 60 scientific publications throughout his professional career , all related to almonds . Xavier is the co-ordinator of the almond crop advisory group at IRTA . The group works on new almond varieties , production systems and crop management from an agronomical , technological , and tree nutrition perspective . Xavier is also assisting in the evaluation of new almond selections of IRTA ’ s almond scion and almond rootstock breeding program . The Almond Board of Australia ( ABA ) invited Xavier to the 2024 Australian Almond Conference to discuss his research on almond orchard intensification . Plant & Food Research hosted Xavier for a post conference trip to visit some industry practitioners and orchards across the Riverland and Riverina .
Dr Roberta De Bei , senior scientist at Plant & Food Research and leader of the almond component of the National Tree Crop Intensification in Horticulture Program ( AS18000 ), an investment through Hort Innovation Frontiers , interviewed Xavier upon returning to Spain . She quizzed him on impressions and highlights from the Australian almond industry visits , and his views on orchard intensification .
What was the highlight from your visit ? This is the fourth time I have travelled to Australia , and I have been able to see the evolution of the almond industry during the last 15 years . What I have seen this time is that the Australian almond industry is excelling at a productive ( yield ) and technological level , improving on the Californian model .
Researcher Xavier Miarnau shared his thoughts on orchard intensification at the recent Australian Almond Conference .
How do you think high-density orchards could benefit the future of Australia ’ s almond industry ? Australian almond orchards are highly productive with figures exceeding 4t / ha in some cases , and management is carried out with a high level of technology and skills . I believe this is the right time to start thinking about achieving and maximising sustainability and efficiency in the use of resources and inputs , to be prepared for an uncertain future and climate change . It is in this space that new growing systems could improve the current traditional model . A focus on new genetics ( rootstocks and cultivars ) with more efficient trees , with smaller canopies and improved input efficiencies is needed .
In your experience from Spain , in what way have high-density orchards impacted fruit quality , water usage , productivity ? The advantages of high-density include yield precocity , full mechanisation , shake and catch harvesting and a more efficient use of water and nutrient resources to improve productivity . This is the basis for a more sustainable future . With the traditional model , yes we can obtain high yields , but with high levels of inputs ; this will become impossible to achieve in a future predicting scarce water allocations and high input costs .
What are some of the challenges of high-density orchard performance ? High-density orchards need to be designed very carefully , since the planting frame , the training system and the variety and rootstock combinations will impact and modulate the future success of the orchard .
Have you got any suggestions for Australian growers wanting to embark in the intensification journey ? Without a doubt , while these orchard designs are novel to the almond industry , building knowledge about these systems now is crucial in preparation for a more uncertain future . The increasing scarcity of resources will make the adoption of highdensity planting systems nonnegotiable . Research trials are necessary to evaluate how different and new almond varieties and rootstocks perform in super high-density orchards and across different production areas . This will ensure the industry is ready to adopt these systems when they are required .
Acknowledgments : PFR would like to thank those who have assisted to organise and host visits including the Almond Board of Australia , Select Harvests Ltd , Century Orchards , CMV Farms , Agromillora Australia , Almas Almonds , Rosy Ridge Farms , South Australian Research and Development Institute ( SARDI ).
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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