Eight trials set up in key macadamia growing areas in Central Queensland

Integrated pest management to protect macadamia orchards

The Macadamia Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program started in 2017 to test combinations of biological, cultural and chemical controls on commercial farms and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research stations. Eight on-farm trials have been set up in key macadamia growing areas in Central Queensland, near Bundaberg, in the Gympie – Glasshouse Mountain area, the Northern Rivers Region and at the Mid North Coast of NSW, Nambucca Heads/ Valla/ Macksville.

DPI Entomologist Dr Ruth Huwer said monitoring is a key part of integrated pest management and it’s important to identify and understand the pest problem. “We are developing protocols and monitoring strategies to identify the best efficacy and timing for treatment of different pests, such as macadamia seed weevil and fruit spotting bug,” Dr Huwer told dpi.nsw.gov.au.

“At the DPI Centre for Tropical Horticulture in Alstonville, we have established a small-scale trial to compare IPM options with minimum broad-spectrum pesticide input with conventional treatments. “This has allowed us to test chemical best practice and to find the best fit as part of the rotation. We found that where mainly broad-spectrum insecticides are used, there is an increase in secondary pests such as scales and thrips.”


Photo source: Nl.wikipedia.org

Publication date: Mon 23 Aug 2021