Description:
Australian crop production takes place in a challenging environment where growers have to cope with climatic extremes. Managing production risk in yield-limiting environments due to abiotic events such as drought, high temperatures and frost is a necessity for growers to remain financially viable.
The primary goal of this project is to develop in-season agronomic interventions that helps crops in either avoiding or reducing frost damage. The strategies involve manipulating crop phenology through mechanical or chemical means, applying cryoprotectants to protect plants against frost, and using bactericides to control ice-nucleating bacteria that induce and increase frost damage.
DPIRD is leading the research that focuses on evaluating bactericidal and cryoprotectant products. Promising bactericidal products identified through rigorous laboratory and controlled environment tests were evaluated at field scale on different crop types. The findings in the field are also encouraging but require continued research to fully understand and validate the effectiveness of these interventions.
Funding partner:
GRDC-PA
Project code:
FAR2203-001RTX