Horticulture

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development works closely with all sections of the industry supply chain from paddock to plate.

Western Australia grows a diverse range of top-quality horticultural crops from the Ord River Irrigation Area in the north, to the Gascoyne River at Carnarvon, the coastal sands near Perth and throughout the cooler south-west region.

Crops include tropical and temperate fruits, delicious vegetables and outstanding table wines. WA also leads the country in flower exports, mostly from our unique native flora.

Articles

  • Tissue culture is the best method for propagating bananas. It ensures they are true to type and free from pests and diseases.

  • The Australian National Mango Breeding Program was initiated in 1994 between four state, territory and federal agricultural organisations.

  • Three new mango varieties have been developed by the National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP). NMBP-1243 is a hybrid cross between Irwin and Kensington Pride (KP).

  • Selecting the right rootstock for your orchard is one of the most important decisions you will have to make.

  • Many new navel and Valencia orange varieties have become available in recent years and are currently being evaluated under West Australian conditions.

  • Many new varieties of mandarins and tangors have become available in Western Australia with desirable traits for consumers such as few or no seeds and loose skin (easy peel).

  • Saperavi wines have outstanding colour and performed well with both judges and consumers in evaluations in Western Australia.

  • Barbera is an old Italian wine variety that has consistently performed well in trials in Manjimup, Western Australia with wines viewed favourably by wine judges and consumers.

  • The Furmint and Kadarka varieties of wine grapes were identified by the wine industry as having potential for future development of premium Western Australian wine and were planted for evaluation i

  • Arneis is an emerging variety in the Australian wine industry, with commercial plantings established in eastern states.