Content last updated: 2006 October 24
Projects are listed for each Branch and Action Group. In cases where a project is run across several Branches, or run Nationally by one of the NZTCA research coordinators, the information is provided in full for the main group, and this listing is referred to from other participating groups. This is the first compilation of NZTCA trials and research projects, and the list is probably incomplete at this stage. Please send any corrections/additions to this material to Heather North.
Contents - Trials and Research Projects:
Branch projects: Northern Region, Franklin, Waikato & Thames-Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne-East Coast, Hawkes Bay, Central Districts & Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington-Horowhenua, Marlborough Tree Growers, Nelson, West Coast Combined Tree Growers Group, Canterbury, Aoraki, Coastal Otago, Central Otago Tree Growers.
Action Groups: Chestnut Action Group (South Island), Gevuina Action Group, Hazelnut Action Group, Olive Action Group, Pecan Action Group, Oak Interest Group, Walnut Action Group (North Island), Walnut Action Group (South Island).
| NATIONAL (1 of 4) |
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| Olives Aim: Cultivar and site evaluation throughout New Zealand, with emphasis on oil production. Contact: Roy Hart. |
| Project is in its sixth year, with a further year of funding yet to run. Initially there were 18 cultivars at 12 sites; number of sites then increased to 15. Trees mostly 4 and 5 years old. South Island sites in Marlborough, Nelson, North Canterbury and Central Otago. North Island sites at Waiheke Island, South Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne, Bay View, Wairarapa and Horowhenua, with information also being provided by growers in Northland. Olives can be cropped successfully over a wide area in New Zealand, but thought needs to be given to the most favourable sites in any district, focusing on warmth and lack of frosts in May/June. Oil being produced is of excellent quality. The danger of both birds and frost are causing some growers to pick too early - these problems need to be resolved. Cross pollination is desirable for good, early fruit set. Correct levels of calcium and boron are important for fruit set. Individual growers have their favourite cultivars, and different sites favour different cultivars. However, Roy's order of preference of those trialled (over the widest spread of the country) is Frantoio, Leccino, Koroneiki, Chemlali, Barnea, Sourani, Picual, Picholine, Manzanillo, Pendolino, Hojiblanco, Kalamata, Mission, Moraiolo, Sevillano, Souri, Uovo di Piccione, Barouni, Carolea, Nabali, Kadesh. See detailed report on sites, cultivars and growing recommendations in The Tree Cropper, Issue 36, December 2003. |
| Support: Two 3-year periods of AgMardt funding. Funding donations from National, Wellington-Horowhenua, Franklin and Nelson Branches, and individuals. Olive trees bought by growers. |
| NATIONAL (2 of 4) |
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| Chestnuts Aim: Testing chestnut rootstocks for resistance to Phytophthora root rot. Contact: Roy Hart. |
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Project has been going for 2 years, and has one further year of funding. Trial sites in Nelson, Waikato Research Orchard (also the best performing trees from an original site at Pirongia have been relocated to the latter), Canterbury and Horowhenua. Rootstocks being tested are the five Klinac/Peele selections, initially found resistant by artificial inoculation. This trial is to assess them under field conditions at severely infected sites. No definite conclusions are evident from these trials yet. Two other trials in Nelson and Horowhenua tested various treatments for protection against root rot, including organic matter, lime, Foli-R-Fos, and combinations of these. Only the resistant rootstock 902 survived these trials. |
| Support: Agmardt funding (3 years), and $1000/year from the Chestnut Council. Trees propagated by Harvey Smith and Roy Hart. |
| NATIONAL (3 of 4) |
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| Pistachios Aim: To assess the most suitable districts for growing Pistachios in New Zealand. Cultivar and rootstock trials. Importing cultivars to widen genetic base. Contact: Roy Hart |
| Major trial site set up at Roger McArtney's property near Blenheim, plus sites in the Wairarapa, Nelson, Canterbury, and Central Otago. New varieties have been imported from Italy; these are currently in quarantine in Nelson. |
| Support: $10,000 from Sustainable Farming Fund over 3 years, plus $500 annually from National. |
| NATIONAL (4 of 4) |
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| Nashi Aim: Rootstock trial. Contact: Roy Hart. Trial site at Te Teko (Bay of Plenty), looking at three rootstock types. Has been running for five years. |
| Support: No funding. Triallist maintains and records data from the trial. Nick Nelson-Parker propagated and donated trees. |
| NORTHERN REGION (1 of 2) |
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| Pheromone methods for controlling populations of fruit driller caterpillar (guava moth) Aim: To develop methods that may be suitable for controlling populations of the moth, that can be introduced on individual properties to reduce damage to selected stone fruit, citrus and nut crops. Project initiated and managed by Northern Region Branch with assistance from Clearwater & Associates (research provider). Contact: G.J. Lees |
| Project commenced April 2002. A contract for the services of Dr. John Clearwater for the development of the control methods is currently underway. Commercial development of the research would not be able to be undertaken by the Northern Region or the NZTCA due to the incorporated nature of the Association. In the event that a Charitable Trust is formed, the Trust could be involved in its commercialisation. Milestones achieved:
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| Support: $11,000 raised by appeal to date, including individual donations, donations by Branches and National Management Committee (early preliminary work on identification of the pheromones cost an additional $2000, funded by Northern Region and National). |
| NORTHERN REGION (2 of 2) |
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| Involvement in National olive trials Trees bought by individual growers. |
| FRANKLIN (1 of 2) |
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| Plum trials Aim: To evaluate many plum varieties in defined conditions, to determine what varieties grow and fruit successfully in Franklin region. Contact: George Atkinson |
| The project began in autumn 1997 at the property of M. & G. Glass. First significant fruiting was in 1999, and hive pollination was begun in 2000. The orchard is still cropping. Also a second plum trial at the property of C. & A. Merrall. |
| Support: Orchard/trees owned by growers, with Branch support ($250 in 1997) and National level reporting. |
| FRANKLIN (2 of 2) |
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| Involvement in National olive trials Two trials on the properties of T. & J. Ashton and O. Woodroffe; trees bought by growers. Branch contributed funding. |
| CENTRAL DISTRICTS & TARANAKI (1 of 3) |
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| The Great Plum Search Aim: To find the very best plum trees around the Wanganui area (and further afield). Contact: Mark Christensen |
| Two years have been spent searching for the very best plum trees around the Wanganui area (and further afield) and collecting budwood and grafting wood. This has resulted in 150 plum trees and 50 apple trees being propagated and distributed to members of the Central Districts as well as Wellington-Horowhenua Branches to trial. These trees were distributed in June 2002. The plum trees flowered profusely in October 2003 and will fruit for the first time in 2004. The objectives are to evaluate the selections, and how they grow in different areas, as well as to identify or confirm the identification of the varieties. |
| Support: This is a Central Districts Branch project, with financial support received from Wellington-Horowhenua Branch, and work done by working bee and voluntary contributions. |
| CENTRAL DISTRICTS & TARANAKI (2 of 3) |
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| Apple cancer research trial Aim: To determine the levels of flavonoids (shown to reduce the growth of cancer cells) in 59 heritage apple varieties. Contact: Mark Christensen |
| This study follows from research at Cornell University that showed that flavonoids in Red Delicious apples reduced or prevented the growth of cancer cells (as well as reducing the risk of heart disease or stroke), as well as a 36 year Finnish study that identified a particular flavonoid in apples called quercetin as being most important in lowering people's risk of total mortality. In 2003 we conducted a research study to determine the levels of flavonoids in 59 heritage apple varieties. We also collected apples from organic and biodynamic properties to see if these growing conditions influenced the levels of flavonoids. At this time (October 2003) the chemical analysis of all the varieties has been completed and we are awaiting the results. |
| Support: This is a Branch project, funded by grants and donations of $4200. |
| CENTRAL DISTRICTS & TARANAKI (3 of 3) |
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| Apple propagation trials Aim: To make available apple trees for distribution to members in the 2004 year. Contact: Mark Christensen |
| We currently have 3 apple propagation trials in progress, with the objective of making available apple trees for distribution to members in the 2004 year. Mark Christensen has a number of heritage apple varieties that have been grafted onto a MM106 tree with a dwarf interstock. These should produce a tree with a dwarfing habit and a good root system. Maurice Dellow has a number of popular home orchard varieties grafted onto MM106. Lyn Hoskin has a number of MM106 rootstocks that have been budded with a good looking, strong growing variety that has been named “Monty's Surprise”. We would like members to evaluate this variety (these trees were budded by Colin Spicer). |
| Support: These are Branch trials, carried out by members. |
| WAIRARAPA (1 of 1) |
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| Involvement in National pistachio trials |
| WELLINGTON-HOROWHENUA (1 of 5) |
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| Several fig projects - heat requirements for ripening, pruning/training, use of root restriction bags, cultivar database and trials Contact: Eric Cairns |
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Projects have been running for a number of years and are on-going. Heat requirements: Aiming to create a climate model for ripening figs. Last season (2002-03) had temperature data loggers at 6 sites. Number of heat units above 24 degrees so far appear to give the best indication of ripening times for sugar figs. More data to be collected this season, including an Auckland site. Effect of mulch types on heat units. Pruning and training methods: Aimed at obtaining earlier ripening in marginal climates. Looking at summer tip pruning, girdling, application of gibberellic acid. Fig database includes over 100 selections: Would be interested in collaborating with others in warmer parts of the country to systematically trial fig cultivars, especially the late season types. Future project to look at use of root restriction bags to reduce suckering and possibly reduce tree height for vigorous cultivars. Enquiries underway regarding micro-tissue propagation to obtain 3 clones (Harcourt Park, Brunswick, Mrs. Williams) free from Fig Mosaic Virus. |
| Support: The projects are carried out by a group of Branch members with a particular interest in figs, with Eric Cairns being the main driver, and many of the trials taking place on his property. |
| WELLINGTON-HOROWHENUA (2 of 5) |
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| Several plum trials, and involvement with other plum enthusiasts around the country Contact: Wally Dyson |
| Collection of plum cultivars and observation of their growth and characteristics, with particular note of biannual bearing, chilling/heat unit requirements, and pollination mechanisms. Temperature recorders are operating in plum orchards for study of chilling/heat requirements. |
| Support: Branch project carried out by members. |
| WELLINGTON-HOROWHENUA (3 of 5) |
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| Other projects - gevuina, native timbers, ginkgo, pine nuts Contact: Wally Dyson |
| Gevuina - Branch is contributing to an accession trial at Otaki and a seedling trial at Hokio. Native timbers - the Branch is assisting Wally Dyson to set up trials near Levin - one on council land. Also involvement with a large scale native timber plantation at Hokio which is being carried out by a Maori Whanau Trust. Gingko - Wally Dyson has a range of seedlings at Hokio, including 4-5 grafted female lines. They suffered badly from frost two years ago. Pine nuts - Branch sponsors a trial at Hokio that includes several species other than Pinus pinea, including some of the compact Prof. Richardson types (via seedlings). |
| Support: Financial and in-kind support from Branch, particularly Wally Dyson. |
| WELLINGTON-HOROWHENUA (4 of 5) |
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| Involvement in National olive trials Trees owned by individual growers. Branch contributed funds. |
| WELLINGTON-HOROWHENUA (5 of 5) |
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| Involvement in National chestnut trials Trees owned by individual growers. |
| NELSON (1 of 7) |
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| Almonds Aim: Cultivar trial Contact: Roy Hart |
| Eight promising almond cultivars being trialled. Trial sites in Nelson, Blenheim and North Canterbury; planted 2003. Triallists will be recording measurements and observations including trunk girth, flowering dates and amounts, and nut yield. Temperature loggers will be used to measure summer heat units and the occurrence of frosts in spring that may affect fruit set. |
| Support: Nelson Branch has bought trees in Nelson; Waimea Nursery donated trees for North Canterbury. Triallists will carry out annual monitoring/measurements. Roy Hart analysing data. |
| NELSON (2 of 7) |
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| Figs Aim: Cultivar trials Contact: Roy Hart |
| Trial site at River Terrace Nurseries, and two others on members' properties. Planted 2002. |
| Support: Nelson Branch has bought most of the trees, and Eric Cairns has donated specimens of a further 5 varieties. |
| NELSON (3 of 7) |
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| Plums Aim: Assessment of a plum collection. Contact: Roy Hart |
| Trial site at M. Fowler's property. Further collection at R. Limmer's property. |
| Support: Triallists maintain trees and carry out assessments. |
| NELSON (4 of 7) |
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| Involvement in National olive trials Trees bought by individual growers. Branch contributed funds. |
| NELSON (5 of 7) |
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| Involvement in National chestnut trials |
| NELSON (6 of 7) |
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| Involvement in National pistachio trials There are two sites in Nelson containing seedling Pistachio vera; planted in 1998. These are beginning to flower and set nuts. The aim is to assess adaptation to Nelson conditions. |
| NELSON (7 of 7) |
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| Other trials including Asimoya, Ginkgo, Pomegranate, Feijoa. |
| CANTERBURY (1 of 1) |
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| Involvement in Nelson-based almond trials Triallists carry out annual monitoring/measurements. Local contact: Bob Winter |
| COASTAL OTAGO (1 of 1) |
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| Cultivar Preservation Orchard Aim: To preserve valuable heritage varieties, with an initial focus on apples. Contact: Andy Barratt |
| Land for the orchard was secured in 2003, and during the year, members contributed skills in fencing, spraying and planting to get the orchard set up. It was officially opened on 19th October. |
| Support: Coastal Otago Branch project. |
| CENTRAL OTAGO TREE GROWERS (1 of 2) |
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| Involvement in National olive trials Trees bought by individual growers. |
| CENTRAL OTAGO TREE GROWERS (2 of 2) |
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| Involvement in National pistachio trials |
| NORTH ISLAND WALNUT ACTION GROUP (1 of 1) |
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| Walnut cultivar trial Aim: To trial cultivars for suitability in Wairarapa conditions Contact: Wally Dyson |
| Fifteen cultivars, selected from those recommended by David McNeil, Vernon Harrison, Linda Gardner, Nick Nelson-Parker and others; planted in 1998 and 1999. ‘Meyric’ planted as main commercial crop; orchard run under organic principals. Data on growth, cropping, climate and disease are to be recorded. |
| Support: NIWAG bought trees, and supplies on-going financial support. |
| SOUTH ISLAND WALNUT ACTION GROUP (1 of 1) |
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| Involved in NZWIG walnut blight project and walnut cultivar trial Members are involved in two projects being run by the New Zealand Walnut Industry Group, and WAG(SI) has contributed funds to these projects. Contact: Jenny Lawrence |
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