Crop Management
This page covers various aspects of crop management for the production of nuts.
Each of the nut industry peak bodies websites contain information on crop management considerations for respective nut types.- Pollination
- Pest and Disease Management
- Crop Management Services
- Composts, Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners
- Wildlife Control
- Biological Control
- Further information
Pollination
Nut crops have differing pollination requirements. Hazel nuts, walnuts and chestnuts are all wind-pollinated. Transfer of pollen from an anther (pollen sac) of one plant to a stigma (tip of the female part of a flower) of another plant by wind. The pollen is typically produced in large quantities and may be winged; the flowers typically do not secrete nectar - (Department of Agriculture and Food - WA)
- Honeybee Five Year R&D Plan (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation)
- Pollination Australia Booklet (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation)
- Bee Pollination Benefits for Nut Crops (Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food)
- Almond Pollination
Almond pollination information
- Macadamia Pollination
Honeybee pollination (WA Dept of Agricultur and Food)
- Peanut Pollination
Honeybee pollination (WA Dept of Agricultur and Food)
- Pecan Pollination
Honeybee pollination (WA Dept of Agricultur and Food)
- Pistachio Pollination
Honeybee pollination (WA Dept of Agricultur and Food)
- Cashew Pollination
Honeybee pollination (WA Dept of Agricultur and Food)
This section identifies key problem pests and diseases affecting nut production and provides links to authoritive up to date literature and advice services. We also plan to include listings of firms providing services for the management of pests and diseases affecting nut crops.
- Chemicals permitted for Australian Plague Locust Control – in a Tree Nut Crop(2010) (Hazelnut Growers of Australia)
- Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit (Industry and Investment NSW Government) Houses Australia’s largest collection of agriculturally significant insects, fungi and plant bacteria. The collection includes information on insects and mites as well as Identification Keys for Insects.
- Phomopsis Nut Rot of Chestnuts (DPI Victoria Information Note)
- Chestnut Blight ( DPI Victoria)
- Verticillium Wilt (can affect chestnut, almond, pistachio and walnut) (Vic Agriculture Note)
- Pest and Disease Analysis in Hazelnuts (NSW Primary Industries - Agriculture)
- Pests, diseases and disorders in horticultural crops (NSW Primary Industries - Agriculture)
- Insect pests (NSW Primary Industries - Agriculture)
- Spray Drift (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
- Australian
National Insect Collection (CSIRO)
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
Biological Control
Where the opportunity exists, biological control of pest species can offer significant sustainable, environmental and commercial advantages to alternative methods of pest and vegetative management.
Biological Control of Macadamia Nut Borer. The use of the Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae wasp to act as a parasite to control macadamia nut borer Cryptophlebia ombrodelta is now widespread and proving very effective. Trichogramma attack the egg stage of nutborer. Green Ant Colonies in Cashew Crops. The tea mosquito bug, the mango tip borer, the fruit spotting bug, the leafroller and the
green bug are potential pest species for cashew crops. Green ants are evaluated as a control agent.
- Implementing
ant technology
in commercial
cashew plantations
and continuation of transplanted
green ant colony monitoring (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation)
- Owl rehabilitation to assist in the control of rats - (Growcom)
The following bodies offer goods and services relevant to the growing and processing of nuts.
- Pacific Plantations (Macadamias)
- Scholefield Robinson
Composts, Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners
- Enviroganics
- Zadco - Specialising in crop nutritition
Bird Damage
Damage control techniques to assist in protecting nut crops include scaring, shooting, trapping, exclusion, minimising residual grain and even providing decoy foods.
As a number of species of birds causing crop damage are also protected under legislation, you should contact a relevant state government representative if your preferred control mechanism involves trapping or destruction of wildlife, and you're unsure of legal requirements. Generally shooting is heavily restricted, environmentally unacceptable, labour intensive and expensive.
The following "Notes" and references may assist.- Reducing Cockatoo Damage to Trees, Fixtures, Houses, Sports Grounds and the Environment (Victorian Department of Primary Industries Information Note)
- Making Sense Of Orchard Netting (Victorian Department of Primary Industries Information Note)
- In Victoria, trapping and gassing teams may be provided by DSE on request to destroy cockatoos on your property. Contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for further information.
- Carnabys Cockatoo - Damage to Almond, Pecan and Pistachio Crops (W.A. Department of Conservation and Environment)
- Invasive Bird Species (W.A. Department of Agriculture and Food)
- Preventing and Controlling Damage by Pest Animals in Western Australia (W.A. Department of Conservation and Environment)
- Managing bird damage to fruit and other horticultural crops (NSW Primary Industries - Agriculture)
- Australasian Pest Bird Network (NSW Primary Industries - Agriculture)
Local Governments often place restrictions on the use of "bird scare guns" and similar devices in residential areas. It may be useful to contact your Local Government Office prior to the purchase of a bird scare gun. Attached, as a sample, are the rules applying to the Alpine Shire Council. Wildlife and Pest Damage
- Brushtail Possums (Preolenna Chestnuts)
- The Potential Importance of Nut Removal by Rodents from Australian Macadamia Orchards ( Science Direct)
Soil, nutrition and orchard floor management (NSW Primary Industries - Agriculture)
