ISHS Acta Horticulturae 869: IX International Protea Research Symposium
STANDING OUT FROM THE BUNCH: AN AUSTRALIAN UPDATE ON IMPROVING QUALITY |
| Authors: | R. McConchie, K. Delaporte, J. Ekman, B. Gollnow, J. Lidbetter, J. Srhoj, K. Seaton, R. Worrall |
| Keywords: | postharvest quality, Proteaceae, cutflower, market access, Protea, Banksia |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.869.23 |
| Abstract:
In Australia, industry reviews on strategies to improve market access have repeatedly highlighted the need to lift the quality and consistency of product delivered to markets, especially overseas markets. Large numbers of small-scale growers producing a broad range of species has contributed to product inconsistency and poses a major impediment to further industry growth. Government and industry agencies in New South Wales (NSW) are developing commercially-relevant product specifications for 30 wildflower products, including photographic standards, product handling, postharvest treatments and labelling protocols. Grafting studies have extended the environmental growing range and lengthened the production season for some popular cut flower lines. Also, market access from Australia using sea freight has been shown economically viable when coupled with best practice supply chain management. In South Australia (SA), eucalyptus hybrids with highly ornamental characters have undergone intensive selection with elite varieties now being prepared for commercial release. In Western Australia (WA), a number of new waxflower and other wildflower varieties have been released. Research on nutrition, water requirements and postharvest ethylene responses has resulted in greatly improved yield and quality of flowers and the recent publication of “The Banksia Production Manual”. In Queensland, work on selected rainforest Proteaceae foliage lines (e.g. ‘Forest Lace’) has led to improved product quality. | |
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