PIPS at a glance

Now in its fourth iteration, the Productivity, Irrigation, Pests and Soils (PIPS) program began in 2009 to deliver whole-of-orchard system research, development and demonstration that continues to drive Australian apple and pear production today.

The PIPS 4 Profit Program is being delivered over five years, from 2023-2028, and comprises an experienced national team led by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and Agriculture Victoria. Pomewest and DPIRD are delivering the WA components with four areas of activity.

• AP22001 – Pests: Integrated Pest and Disease Management
Building upon the previous project AP19002, AP22001 aims to test the effectiveness of biological controls for light brown apple moth and Mediterranean fruit fly. Native parasitoid wasps from eastern Australia, such as Diachasmimorpha krausii and certain Trichogramma, have shown very promising results domestically and internationally for establishing in temperate environments and attacking multiple pest species. The project will assess the safe introduction of these species to WA and evaluate orchard management practices that are designed to support habitat and food source availability, balanced parasitoid/ predator populations and soil health (in partnership with the Building Sustainable Soils project). The aim is a best practice guide for producers to replicate positive results on farm in a commercially viable way. So far one trial site has been identified at Ladycroft Orchard in Manjimup.

• AP22003 – Soils: Building Sustainable Soils
Following the AP19006 project, longer term data was needed to show the impacts of inter-row and under-tree treatments on soil health over multiple growing seasons. The project will trial different under-tree options: a bare herbicide strip, living legume mulch, woody mulch, a native flowering cover crop, producer mow and throw options. This trial is once again taking place at Ladycroft Orchard in Manjimup. Together with measurements of soil health, data on pest and disease pressure, tree growth and fruit yield will be analysed to examine for multi-layered benefits. The WA element of the project aims to answer the questions: “How do we feed the carbon cycle by improving the under-tree strip? What are the benefits of moving away from the bare earth under the tree line? Can under-tree treatments have a positive effect on fruit quality and yield by improving the soil health?”
The project also features a PhD study in NSW investigating benefits to soil carbon levels with orchard floor management and whether increases in soil carbon can be viable income from a carbon market, or if farmers are better off prioritising accessible soil nutrients.

• AP22004Productivity: Optimising Apple Production Systems
This project analyses WA and Tasmanian systems of orchard renovation to identify effective and profitable methods of rejuvenating orchards without replanting. The change in producer resources required for thinning, pruning, crop load management and the costs of retraining will all be considered. Variations in crop load, flowering and canopy vigour will be measured both manually and using digital imaging, including LiDAR, to analyse the commercial viability for producers to use the technology. One trial site at RK & J Fox & Son in Pemberton has already been selected to rework a Fuji block into Granny Smith. If you are considering orchard renovations, such as changing variety on existing rootstock, changing trellis style or plant spacing without replacing the orchard, and are interested in being part of the project, please get in touch.