as of 11 July 2008
Horticulture Plant breeding – Introduction to quantitative methods applied to horticultural improvement
Horticultural plant breeding – note runs over 3 days
Workshop objective
To achieve increased awareness of opportunities and constraints from the application of quantitative methods to horticulture improvement
Proposed format
This workshop will be presented by Dr Craig Hardner University of Queensland and Alison Kelly Queensland department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. The overall structure of the workshop will be to introduce fundamental concepts, explore these concepts through interactive learning in small groups and then build upon these to develop an understanding of more complex issues. Within each session concepts will be introduced through a short lecture, followed by interactive learning and extension with prepared datasets and programs.
Topics covered in each of the sessions
Monday 21 July
Session I Overview of background concepts
Session II Analysis of single trait in a single site clonal trial
Tuesday 22 July
Session III Opportunities form application of experimental design
Session IV Extension of the analysis of single trait/single site clonal trial and experimental design methods
Thursday 24 July
Session V Analysis of single trait across multiple sites
Session VI Analysis of multiple traits across multiple sites
Session VII Introduction to pedigree analysis methods
Session VIII Summary, consolidation and feedback
Understanding and managing water in horticultural cropping
Objective
To achieve an improved understanding of equipment / techniques for assessing water status in annual / perennial horticultural crops.
Proposed format
Thematic - information sharing and demonstration of equipment scientist and practitioners can use to understand and monitor water and irrigation status in horticultural crops (both annuals and perennials).
Following a brief introduction (15 minutes) we will divide into groups of 5-6 participants, and rotate through demonstration equipment used to monitor water status, relevant to horticultural crops. This equipment will focus on plant-based observations, both direct measures of water status, and indirect measures of physiological performance related to water status. We will also have on hand soil water assessment equipment, in case there are specific discussions required on that area as well.
At the end of the practical rotations (5 pm), we will have a facilitated discussion on plant-based water measurement. This may include brief presentations from workshop participants, as well as general commentary from the floor.
Measuring and predicting quality
Objective
To achieve increased participant knowledge of innovations and recent science into predicting, measuring and monitoring of quality in fresh produce supply chains.
| |
| Understanding fruit quality in the light of changing consumer demand Ken Breen, HortResearch, New Zealand |
Predicting mango eating quality at harvest using short-wave near infrared spectrometry Kerry Walsh, Central Queensland University, Queensland |
Near infrared spectroscopy as a rapid non-invasive tool for assessing internal quality attributes of whole avocado fruit Brett Wedding, Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld |
Automated measurement of fruit firmness Gordon Brown, Scientific Horticulture P/L, Tasmania |
| Group discussions to share knowledge and experiences |
| Afternoon tea |
| Key points from group discussion |
| Development and commercial application of a robustness test to predict avocado fruit quality Predicting risk of table grape diseases development in cool storage John Lopresti, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria |
| Group discussions to share knowledge and experiences |
| Key points from group discussion |
| Workshop close |
Workshop convenor:
Scott Ledger, Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland
Email scott.ledger@dpi.qld.gov.au, phone 61 7 3896 9867
Modelling horticulture – from individual plant structure to orchard scale
Objective
To achieve an increase in participants knowledge of the range of possibilities functional structural modelling offers for horticultural applications, including hands on experience with plant modelling software. Participants are welcome to bring their own computer.
Proposed format
Overview of applications by invited speakers and hands-on introduction to plant modelling. Lead by Neil White, Jim Hanan.
The John Morris Scientific sustainable soil management workshop
Workshop convenors
Stephen Harper and John Bagshaw
Objective
To achieve increased knowledge in horticultural scientists of Australian horticultural soil management research
Proposed format
Field visit to Phoenix greenwaste composting facility at Yatala.
In field presentation on vegetable greenhouse gas emissions research - Sarah Vaughan PhD student UQ.
Visit to organic sugarcane farm
Bus tour presentation/discussion - Potential future impacts of Environmental Management systems on how we manage horticultural soils. John Bagshaw DPI&F
Post Field trip presentations
Zero tillage in Horticulture what can be done? Dr Stephen Harper - DPI&F & Peter Visage – grower (tentative)
In field and venue presentation Uses of a new tool; the solusampler in horticulture Dr Tapas Biswas - SARDI.
Soil management issue discussion
Maximum number of participants
Ten (10)