The aim of the project, funded by Hort Innovation, is to create trees which can withstand climate change, produce bigger and better-quality nuts earlier, and reduce the production cost burden for growers.
The initiative, being delivered by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), is focused on breeding trees specifically for Australian conditions – using cutting-edge technology to fast-track the process which traditionally can take more than 20 years, opening up opportunities for higher production rates and hopefully increased exports.
Hort Innovation chief executive Brett Fifield says the tangible impact of this project for Australian macadamia growers recognises macadamias are a native Australian nut and a high-value export commodity.
“This investment is about creating even better adapted trees for the different macadamia growing regions across Australia,” Brett explains.
“We hope by using new technologies we can develop new macadamia varieties which will give growers better yields and a more quality nut which delivers results and profits sooner, with trees which are more productive, resilient and tailored to our unique growing environments,” he says.
“In FY24, we saw more than 15,000 tonnes of macadamias leave our shores, and we hope to see this continue to grow, but know this project will be crucial to providing growers with the tools to get there and compete consistently and globally.”
The project will integrate new technologies such as genetic markers and genomic selection models, phenomics and artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify new species which will lead to increased yield, pest and disease tolerance, and resilience to environmental change.
These improvements are vital as growers face rising input costs, reduced pollination services due to varroa mite, and limited land availability.
Research lead Dr Mobashwer Alam says the project’s main goal is to develop varieties which will meet industry needs, so engagement with growers is key.
“We see this project as a partnership with growers, and value that interaction with growers on our trials in the field,” Mobashwer says.
“We want to combine our research expertise with practical knowledge from industry to improve the program,” he says.
“Our vision is to deliver high-performing, climate-resilient trees which bear fruit earlier, produce better-quality and optimally sized nuts, and reduce production costs.
“By cutting the variety release timeframe from 24 years to just 10 – along with new varieties every three to five years – we’re ensuring Australian growers stay ahead with sustainable, profitable and world-leading orchards ready for the future.”
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