CONTENTSThe PINT Newsletter is produced by the Plant Industries Division of Department of Resources.

For further information please contact

Warren Hunt (08) 8999 2143

Warren.Hunt@nt.gov.au

In this issue:

Succession varieties for KP mango....….2

Mango transport guide………….………6

The Terminator – coming to Central Australia…………………………………..7

Useful Links …...………………….….....8

Upcoming events…………………….….9

August 2012 E-Newsletter

Seizing the futureDear Reader,

Welcome to another issue of the PINT newsletter.

This issue is dedicated to the mango and table grape industries, and looking forward to improving the capacity of these industries to remain competitive.

The mango feature covers the strategically important issue of new, more productive varieties. Three new varieties will soon begin a phase of testing under commercial conditions within the industry. This article will provide a brief summary about these new candidates. The second mango article is an excellent post-harvest mango handling guide compiled by the Department and the Hort Value-Chain Group. It provides proven strategies for minimising post-harvest fruit degradation this harvest season.

Finally, it’s Hasta la vista termites - a brief on what is happening to better position the Central Australian table grape industry for future production security.

Read on!

Regards,

E D I T I O N 2 9 0 J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 0 8

Katherine Research Station

PO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

Warren HuntPh   +61 (0)8 8999 2143Fax +61 (0)8 8999 2049Mobile: +61 (0)409 809 610 Email: Warren.Hunt@nt.gov.au

Succession varieties for Kensington PrideBy: Dr. Ian Bally, Plant Breeder, Queensland Dept. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Genetic improvement creates new limits for our horticultural crops, while many of our other technologies can only take existing varieties to their limits. This is the objective of genetic improvement – incremental gains over sustained periods. It is important to note that it costs just as much to maintain a poor or mediocre performing mango tree, as it does to maintain a top performer. Achieving more output from the same level of input is called productivity gain – that is what the Australian mango industry must secure in the coming decades to remain viable in the face of domestic cost-price squeeze and potentially increased international competition pressures. Kensington Pride has been the mainstay of the Australian mango industry for many decades. We know its positive attributes in terms of flavour and texture, though we must also recognise that it has weaknesses in terms of percentage of pack out of first class fruit, lower yields compared to some other varieties, and it’s cantankerously biennial bearing behaviour. Just because something has been successful in the past, doesn’t mean that it will be the best platform to serve you in the future. If that were the case the Airforce would still be flying Spitfires and northern Australian beef herds would still consist of tick and drought-prone shorthorn cattle. Time and technology moves on.

Plant breeding in mangoes is akin to elephant reproduction – it takes some time to come to fruition. However, the Australian mango breeding program is now at the point after years breeding and sifting through many less productive candidates, where it has identified three varieties that have stood-out in experiments and are now ready for ‘real-farm’ commercial evaluation. This article will summarise the features of the three new varieties from the National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP) which are now in the final stages of negotiation between industry and state and territory governments, in regards to their commercial release. More performance data will follow in future issues.

E D I T I O N 2 9 0 J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 0 8

Katherine Research Station

PO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

In the near future there will also be an invitation extended to NT growers to inspect these new varieties in the Ord (probably early October), and also at Mareeba (prior to Christmas or early New Year). More to follow on this topic as travel arrangements are confirmed.

Plant Industries NT Newsletter – August 2012

NMBP 1243Features:

Early maturing

KP flavour

Firm to soft flesh

Medium vigour

Open canopy

Consistent and regular cropping

Strong red blush colour

NMBP 1201

Features:

High yielding

Sweet-mild KP flavour

Medium to firm flesh

Yellow background colour with

red blush

. Page 4 of 9

Plant Industries NT Newsletter – August 2012

Early to mid-season maturity

Medium vigour

Dense canopy

. Page 5 of 9

Plant Industries NT Newsletter – August 2012

NMBP 4069Features:

Mid-season maturing

High yielding.

Medium vigour

Dense canopy

KP style favour

Firmness is similar to KP

Tolerant to export protocols

Positive response from export

surveys

. Page 6 of 9

Mango Transport Guide

Temperatures below 10°C can cause chilling injury.

Checklist:

Precool the fruit to the correct temperature before loading. Refrigerated trucks and rail containers only maintain the temperature and do not effectively cool the load.

Check the refrigerator unit is working correctly and vehicle is in good condition.

If a loading dock is present, ensure the truck is already cooled to its operating temperature before loading.

Check the temperature of the fruit before loading and record on consignment note in the event of problems occurring.

Load the vehicle correctly to ensure there is a free path for the cool air to flow over the top of the load, down the sides and rear and along the floor and under the pallets (see diagram). Place the front pallets tight against the bulkhead to prevent air short circuiting back to the refrigeration unit. Either cross the stabilising boards or use boards with holes in the bottom to allow air to flow under the pallets.

Ensure the pallets are secured properly. If the mangoes are loaded warm or are already starting to ripen, open the vents in the vehicle to flush out the carbon dioxide generated by ripening fruit. If vents are not present or are closed, open the doors of the vehicle for 5 minutes every 8-12 hours during the trip.

. Page 7 of 9

Transport temperatures:

Trip less than 2 days Precool to 12-16oC Transport at 12-16oC

Trip more than 2 days Precool to 12-14 oC Precool to 12-14 oC

Disclaimer:

While all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this information sheet is true and correct at the time of publication, the Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. No serious, business or investment decisions should be made in reliance on this information without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to your particular situation.

Terminator to visit Central Australian grape growersBy: Michael Neal, Technical Officer – Entomology, Berrimah Research Farm

Hasta la vista termites!

There are more than 2,800 species in the world, of these 263 species occur in Australia. Termites play an important role in nature being responsible for removing fallen tree limbs, leaf litter and some grasses from the forest floor. This helps reduce the fuel load for fires, and their foraging activity and galleries allow nutrients and water to move down through the soil profile supplying food for plants. However, termites also destroy many of our perennial horticultural crops.

In central Australia one of the main problem species is Microcerotermes spp. (see picture). This species will attack and kill young plantings of trees like citrus and grapes (particularly newly planted vines). Trials conducted at Ti-Tree where fipronil was applied via the irrigation system (chemigation) on new grape plantings, showed good results in controlling Microcerotermes spp. Chemigation can also be employed when there is observed termite activity through regular monitoring.

The Department is currently assisting the local table grape industry in the NT to renew a minor use permit for fipronil to combat Microcerotermes spp. Entomology officer Michael Neal will be visiting grape growers in Ti-Tree and Alice Springs areas on 28 and 29 August respectively to discuss their concerns and needs around termite control, and to set up a trial to investigate any potential issues with residues from termite control practices. This work will be used as part of an industry submission to enable future use of the treatment in the NT.

If you want to contact Michael call: 0401 115 927.

. Page 8 of 9

Useful links APVMA – Public Chemical Registration System APVMA Permits APVMA – Dimethoate Review Bureau of Meteorology services

o Weekly climate note o Madden-Julian Oscillation

Horticulture Publications – DAFWA Mango Information Kit NT Primary Industries Agnotes and Fact sheets Primary Industries Publications – NT DoR

Upcoming eventsMango Annual Levy Payers MeetingDarwin Airport Hotel Monday 17th September 20125.30pmPlease RSVP to AMIA IDM Trevor Dunmall on 0400 808 689 or Email mailto:mIDM@mangoes.net.au

. Page 9 of 9