Citrus growers have new information to boost orchard productivity, with the release of a series of first-edition Primefacts developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
DPI has the largest citrus research and extension team in Australia and plays a leading role in supporting the NSW and Australian citrus industry through research, extension and resource delivery.
NSW DPI research horticulturist Dr Dave Monks said the new Primefacts aims to assist citrus growers to improve production and profitability across a range of varieties.
"The Primefacts provides information about the maturing period for specific regions, the origin of the variety and fruit quality," Dr Monks said.
"The main citrus fruits grown in NSW are navel and Valencia oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes and grapefruit.
"A popular variety is the mid-season Palmer navel orange, grown in the Sunraysia region that is reported to produce regular crops of 50-60 tonnes per hectare of fruit in mature orchards.
"The Palmer navel variety is a deep orange colour at maturity, with good eating quality and soft flesh texture. Palmer navel is a public variety," said Dr Monks.
"Another popular variety, the FJ navel, is a limb mutation selected from a Navelina navel orange tree in 2002 with commercial scale plantings established in the Riverina region.
"Harvested in May and June, FJ navel variety is an intense orange-red colour and easy to peel. FJ is a Plant Breeder's Rights protected (private) variety."
In NSW the largest and most important production areas are in the Riverina and Murray Valley regions, with smaller plantings located around Bourke, Narromine and the Central and North coast regions.
NSW produces about 250,000 tonnes of citrus annually representing 40 per cent of Australian production and 36pc of citrus exports.
The citrus variety Primefacts is available to download from the DPI website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
This project has been funded through the Hort Innovation citrus fund using the research and development levy and funds from the federal government government. For more information about the fund and strategic levy investment visit horticulture.com.au
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