One of Australia’s largest horticultural companies, Costa Group, is teaming up with Australia’s leading agricultural educator, the University of New England (UNE), to develop a more efficient and productive horticulture industry. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed at UNE , with the primary intention to “investigate opportunities for co-funded research and development”. Read More »

AUSVEG,  the National Peak Industry Body representing Australia’s vegetable growers,  plans to launch a 1800 Agronomist hotline for vegetable growers, an industry-driven initiative which will be introduced on a national basis to provide technical information and address gaps in knowledge across the industry. Read More »

Every business is for sale – at the right price. DOROTA (Dee) BRYKS provides an insight as to why you should start readying your business for sale from day one. Read More »

Aquaponics, the integration of hydroponics and fresh-water aquaculture, is no longer a fringe growing technology. Commercial aquaponic enterprises are now operating successfully in many countries to supply fresh greens and protein-rich fish to nearby and distant markets. However, the growing technology is far from a precise science. Read More »

At the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), research into soilless systems is underway with an aim to decrease Hawaii’s dependence on imports for both food and energy. Report by CHRISTINE BROWN-PAUL Read More »

Question

From a NSW hobby grower. Why are my tomato plants not fruiting? 

My tomato plants look healthy, but the flowers are not forming any fruit. There are plenty of flowers and the first two or three trusses produce fruit, but there is no fruit forming on the later trusses.

I grow the plants on reused coco slabs using a recycling drip irrigation system, feeding in an EC of 2.8 mS/cm. I use a general purpose two-part ‘Grow’ nutrient available from my local hydroponic store. I grow outdoors in a protected sunny spot and run the plants up a single string. There is no evidence of pests or diseases. Plant stems are thick and the leaves are dense and dark green in colour.

What is my problem? Read More »

The Australian vegetable industry today has endorsed calls from SPC Ardmona Managing Director Peter Kelly for Emergency Safeguard action to be put in place out of concerns for the damage and injury being caused to the local horticultural industry. Emergency Safeguard actions which are permitted under the World Trade Organisation rules would impose an emergency tax on cheap imported foods where domestic industries are suffering injury. Read More »