Queensland researchers are developing world-first plant production techniques that would dramatically boost the number of avocado trees and potentially solve a world shortage.
Single avocado tree cuttings are being used to grow 500 new plants in eight to 10 months under a growth technique created by University of Queensland’s Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
Professor Neena Mitter said the development was a huge step up from current production, which sees one plant taking up to 12 to 18 months to grow.
Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch said the state government had awarded researchers a $636,000 grant to trial the technology in areas including Tully and Bundaberg.
If successful it would end a shortage of high-quality plants, an issue that was crippling industry expansion, and allow farmers to double production to 70,000 tonnes a year.
Queensland’s annual avocado crop is worth $460 million and equates to half of Australia’s overall production.
source: weeklytimesnow.com.au
