Australian Macadamia Society

Novel technologies and practices for the optimisation of pollination within protected cropping environments (ST19000)

2021 | Hort Innovation | Research report/Update

Using a multifaceted approach, this program will focus on the productivity and quality of pollination in protected cropping environments. The aim is to understand the current impediments to adequate pollination, then improve these systems through the use of advanced technology.

Cross pollination for macadamias (August 2021 MacGroups)

2021 | Australian Macadamia Society | Video

The first of our series of online MacGroup videos is out now! Professor Stephen Trueman (Griffith University) poses the question: how important is cross-pollination for macadamia? Stephen shares results and insights from recent macadamia orchard research.

Pollination

2021 | Australian Macadamia Society, Trueman S, Wallace H | Fact Sheet

Pollination by agents such as insects underpins production in many crops, including macadamias. Ensuring efficient and effective pollination is one way that growers can increase nut yield in orchards.

The latest results are in: Whole-tree yields can be increased with better cross-pollination

2019 | Trueman S, Kamper W, Nichols J, Hosseini Bai S, Ogbourne S | Research report/Update

The update describes follow-up research to identify whether macadamia yields can be increased by better cross-pollination. This research at Sandy Creek near Bundaberg compared yields from blocks that contained single varieties - 816 and Daddow - where trees in the middle of the blocks were cross-pollinated as well as trees that were next to another variety. The results show that macadamias are not receiving enough cross-pollination and that closely interplanting different varieties and managing beehives to maximise cross-pollination may improve productivity.

The results are in: Most nuts come from cross-pollination

2019 | Trueman S, Wallace H, Kamper W, Nichols J, Hosseini Bai S, Ogbourne S, Richards T | Research report/Update

The update describes research to identify whether macadamia nuts come from self-pollination or cross-pollination. Using genetic markers to test the paternity of nuts in two orchards, the research established that most nuts come from cross-pollination.

Macadamia pollination: What to do? (2018 MacGroup)

2018 | Howlett B, Evans L | Presentation

Powerpoint presentation details the latest research on macadamia pollination

Optimising pollination of macadamia and avocado in Australia (Dr Brad Howlett)

2018 | Australian Macadamia Society | Video

Brad Howlett describes the HIA funded project on improving pollination and yields in macadamia orchards.

Sugar shaking bees to detect external parasites

2018 | NSW DPI | Fact Sheet

Sugar shaking bees is a method used to detect external parasites, such as varroa mites, tropilaelaps mites and braula fly on European honey bees (Apis mellifera).

Bee management

2018 | Australian Macadamia Society | Fact Sheet

During flowering growers are faced with managing both beneficial insects and pest insects. Beneficial insects are crucial for pollination and are a major asset for industry stakeholders (beekeepers). Flower pest insects, such as lace bug or flower caterpillar, can cause extreme yield losses (from 50-90% losses). These factors combine to create a challenging situation for macadamia growers to manage.

Pollination in macadamia

2018 | Howlett B, Goodwin M | Fact Sheet

Maximise your macadamia crop with better pollination. Many varieties of macadamias produce more nuts when cross pollinated with another variety.

In The Orchard

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