Filipino researchers visit for tropical fruit and nursery training

July 20, 2016

We recently reported on a training visit made by Lorina Galvez, from Visayas State University in the Philippines, to undertake several trials on jackfruit product development. Two of her colleagues, Dario Lina and Francisco Dayap also visited to undertake training on plant nursery and fruit tree technologies. This work was within the context of the ACIAR-funded project Tropical tree fruit research and development in the Philippines and northern Australia to increase productivity, resilience and profitability.

Nursery hygiene, agronomy and nutrition

Francisco Dayap, Agricultural Center Chief III of the Department of Agriculture Regional Office in the Philippines, undertook a short-term visit to partner scientists in Queensland for training on plant nursery hygiene, agronomy and nutrition management. Between April 18 ad 29, Francisco visited the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane; the Center for Wet Tropics Agriculture, South Johnstone; and the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Berrimah Research Station, Darwin.

Tropical fruit tree training

Dario Lina, Assistant Professor III and Co-Component Leader of the ACIAR Project, Visayas State University, The Philippines visited Australia between April 18 and May 2. Dario’s visit was focussed on tropical fruit tree training and he visited the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Centre for Wet Tropics Agriculture in South Johnstone and the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries in Darwin.

For both visiting scientists, the Crawford funded training was centred on the core objectives of the ACIAR funded project, these being to:

• • develop and implement integrated disease management solutions to diseases affecting jackfruit.
  • develop and implement crop management options which improve productivity and fruit quality in jackfruit.
  • develop improved processing options for jackfruit.

There was focus placed on demonstrating the practical application of nursery hygiene and orchard disease management in commercial nurseries and orchards, and emphasis was given to the control of Phytophthora sp. in avocado nurseries and orchards. The relevance of orchard planning, drainage, mounding, mulching and phosphonate injection was demonstrated.

Research results of interspecies grafting for disease resistance were also shared. Dr Philippa Tyler (DAF) provided fruit quality sensory analysis results, and production systems were viewed at the research sites. Dr Kent Fanning discussed fruit processing research. Dr Natalie Dillon (DAF) shared early results of genomic work on Artocarpus species, and disease susceptible and resistant species.

The visitors toured packing sheds, wholesale markets and retail outlets to demonstrate the fruit supply chain. The visits provided stimulating interactions for both the visiting researchers and the Australian project staff—these interactions help to build a shared vision of project goals and outcomes.