Laying the groundwork
Researchers joined Mallee wine and table grape growers in the field this month to talk soil health and explore project ideas to enhance vineyard management and production.
Industry and researchers are keen to develop an extensive program of work across all the grape industries in the region, according to Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC) Co-director and La Trobe University Professor of Applied and Environmental Microbiology Ashley Franks.
Dr Jen Wood presenting at Murray Valley Winegrowers Field Day Extravaganza on soil biology and its link to irrigation and nutrition.
Ashley said they wanted to explore options for how soil can be managed to improve sustainability and increase its capacity to retain water and carbon, while giving growers practical tools to better understand how to achieve the grape qualities they want.
“As we plan new research, it is important to hear about the different practices growers are using, what they already know from their testing, and what things could help them,” Ashley said.
“Then we can make sure our research supports that and provides information that is practical and useful in the vineyard. We want to build on what is already known, not bring in a battery of new tests and requirements.
“We can even validate the techniques that growers have seen benefits from using, giving them evidence or the actual calculations behind their approach.”
Ashley presented at the workshop, held as part of the Murray Valley Winegrowers (MVW) Field Day Extravaganza, with fellow La Trobe researcher and soil ecologist Dr Jen Wood.
MVW industry development officer Stuart Putland said the event evaluation showed having access to this research was of huge value to the growers.
He also urged the local horticultural industries to collaborate with MRIC partners – both La Trobe and the University of Melbourne – when they were in the region.
We have got nearly $2 billion worth of horticultural production in the Sunraysia region, and this research capability is vital to the future of the sector.
“Industries need to be working with these researchers to guide their future research programs to enhance and support our hugely valuable industries,” Stuart said.
Kym Luitjes from Pinion Advisory talking soil structure and chemistry at the Field Day Extravaganza.
The Field Day Extravaganza on 7 and 8 May, funded by Wine Australia’s regional program, also covered irrigation, vine nutrition, soil structure and biology, and agtech innovation and robotics.
Ashley said the event was a great example of science, extension and industry coming together.
“Having other people from different areas of horticulture presenting also helped to create a full picture of how what’s happening under the ground with soil chemistry, structure, microbiology and nutrition are all linked and work together,” he said.