Rubus Propagation Research

Funding plugs big future for Australia’s strawberry industry

Blueberries from 2019–2020 – the inflection point

Strawberry seasonal plant outlook and propagator summary

Profile-Tasmanian Raspberry Canes, Carolyn & Simon Curtis

Tasmanian Raspberry Canes, owned by Simon and Carolyn Curtis and situated at Wesley Vale in northwestern Tasmania, produces bare-rooted raspberry canes for retail, wholesale nurseries, and commercial growers.

The relationship between yield and strawberry runner characteristics

The productivity of strawberry is dependent on the supply of high-quality nursery plants. The effect of runner characteristics on the yields of plants in south-east Queensland was investigated. Yields were best with a planting from mid- to late March for ‘Festival’ and from early to mid-April for ‘Fortuna’. Research in north America suggests that the best yields occur when the runners are exposed to significant chilling in the nurseries. Experiments are required to determine if the temperature models developed in America can predict yield and runner quality in Australia.

Healthy strawberry runners, more high-quality fruit

High quality runners, free of disease, are key to a successful final product. Underpinning the success and viability of the Australian strawberry industry is a certification and inspection program that supports production of high-quality high-health runners. With increasing climatic variation, as well as the phasing out of methyl bromide for fumigation, the Australian strawberry industry may see the emergence of new serious pathogens. Starting with certified planting stock will help the strawberry industry to limit the impact of emerging and re-emerging pests and disease.